Carter Lee Wells

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch May 23, 1969

Age 35

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Badge 2510

The Vigil Panel 105 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Police Officer Carter Wells was shot and killed with his own service weapon while making a traffic stop at E. Jefferson Ave. and Walker Street. During the traffic stop, he was leaning into the patrol car when the suspect grabbed his service weapon and shot him. The subject fled the scene but was apprehended following a pursuit. The man was convicted of Officer Wells' murder and sentenced to life in prison but was paroled after serving only 13 years. Officer Wells served with the Detroit Police Department for 13 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-189D50D3
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Wells gave the Detroit Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wells.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1969

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 35

Badge Number 2510

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Paroled after 13 years

Police Officer Carter Lee Wells is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious