Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Woyshner was shot and killed as he and his partner was critically wounded as they attempted to take a stolen motorcycle Officer Woyshner and his partner went to 5907 15th Street to confiscate the Honda motorcycle when the suspect opened fire. Officer Woyshner and his partner were both struck. Both Officers attempted to take cover in their patrol car but collapsed before making it. Officer Woyshner's partner was able to radio for assistance. When they arrived, both officers were taken to Henry Ford Hospital. Officer Woyshner died from his wounds several hours later. The suspect, 25, an ex-convict, was captured a short time later. In 1971 he was acquitted of Officer Woyshner murder. Afterwards he was charged with assault with intent to kill Officer Woyshner's partner. The case never went to trial. In 1978 he shot and killed man after the man's wife paid him $20,000 so she could get money from his life insurance. In 1988 he received a new trial and was acquitted. A few weeks later he was found dead in his Detroit apartment. He had been shot three times; twice in the chest and once in the head.
Survivors
Officer Woyshner had served with the Detroit Police Department for 22 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-1D6F13E5- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Woyshner gave the Detroit Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Woyshner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Richard P. Woyshner 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard P. Woyshner's cause is highlighted.
How Richard P. Woyshner Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard P. Woyshner is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard P. Woyshner was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
