Sam Mapes

MI State Police — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch May 1, 1927

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 53 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 56

Incident

Corporal Sam Mapes was shot and killed after stopping two vehicles he suspected of transporting illegal liquor. The driver of one of the vehicles offered him a bribe, which he refused. He then stopped a third motorist and asked him to call for assistance. While talking to the motorist the suspect approached him from behind, grabbed his service revolver, and shot him. The suspect, age 40, fled but was apprehended four days later after a wild chase through the streets of Chicago. The suspect, a very wealthy Chicago bootlegger, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Corporal Mapes' murder happened during a time when when Michigan citizens were complaining bitterly because Michigan did not have the death penalty.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-1973702A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Mapes served with the Michigan State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Mapes.

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

Agency

Department MI State Police

Type State Police

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 1, 1927

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Corporal Sam Mapes 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 97,756 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 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.

MI State Police

of 57 officers

47.4% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious