Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Daniel Ellis was shot and killed near Mother Charleszetta Waddles Perpetual Mission at 3700 Gratiot while attempting to protect citizens from a mentally deranged person with a firearm. Officer Ellis pushed his partner out of the line of fire moments before the gunman shot but withheld return fire for fear of striking a mother and child standing just behind the gunman. He was struck several times and died en route to the hospital. The suspect, 51, was taken into custody a short time later. He had 14 previous convictions, including one for manslaughter in 1956 for beating his wife to death. He was acquitted of Officer Ellis' slaying by reason of insanity. In 1975 his application for release was denied. Officer Ellis was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Detroit Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-57198E63- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Ellis gave the Detroit Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Daniel G. Ellis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Daniel G. Ellis 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. Daniel G. Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel G. Ellis Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel G. Ellis is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel G. Ellis 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.
