Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Madden was shot and killed while attempting to question two joy riders in a stolen car at 2 a.m. Officer Madden jumped onto the running board of the suspects' vehicle and told them to stop. One of the men then shot him in the stomach. Although wounded, Officer Madden continued holding onto the car until it hit a curb at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Bethune Avenue. The 17-year-old gunman was shot and killed as he attempted to rob a grocery store on February 22, 1914. His accomplice was later arrested and gave police information which lead to the identity of the gunman. He was charged with complicity in the murder, tried and acquitted. Officer Madden was assigned the Bethune Avenue Station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A0176D60- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Madden served with the Detroit Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Madden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas F. Madden is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas F. Madden's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas F. Madden Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas F. Madden is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas F. Madden was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
