Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Wayne Vonk was shot and killed when he stopped two armed robbery suspects at the intersection of 4th Street and Stocking Avenue. While on patrol a store owner flagged him down and informed him that he had just been robbed. He provided Officer Vonk with a description of the suspects and direction they fled. Officer Vonk gave chase and caught up to the vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle as it stopped and approached Officer Vonk with a pistol. Officer Vonk drew his weapon as he struck the suspect. During the ensuing struggle Officer Vonk was shot and mortally wounded. He was able to return to his patrol car and call for help. The suspects, both in their mid-twenties, fled the scene but were apprehended minutes later. Both suspects were sentenced to life. One died in prison in August of 2017. As of October 4, 2022, the other suspect was still in prison. Officer Vonk had served with the Grand Rapids Police Department for 11 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A39216CC- 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 Vonk served with the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vonk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Wayne Vonk 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 Grand Rapids Police Department, 8 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wayne Vonk's cause is highlighted.
How Wayne Vonk Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne Vonk is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wayne Vonk was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
