Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Seymour Lawler and Police Officer Hiram Reno were shot and killed by a robbery suspect they had just arrested at 1002 W. Forest Avenue near Hamilton and Forrest Avenues. The man had been placed in the back of the officers' patrol car. The suspect produced a handgun concealed in his coat and shot both officers, killing them instantly. Police shot and killed the suspect. Officer Lawler had served with the Detroit Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the 8th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-557D0E58- 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 Lawler 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 Lawler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Seymour H. Lawler 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. Seymour H. Lawler's cause is highlighted.
How Seymour H. Lawler Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Seymour H. Lawler is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Seymour H. Lawler was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
