Robert Raymond Gonser

MI State Police — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch August 8, 1968

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 104 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 56

Incident

Detective Gonser was shot and killed while he and another officer were working a surveillance operation in Inkster, Michigan. As the officers began to leave the scene, another car approached and attempted to block them in. Detective Gonser drove around them and the car began to follow them. The suspects fired several shots, striking Detective Gonser. The suspects were never identified.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-5C1DD436
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

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

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

Agency

Department MI State Police

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1968

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Never identified

Detective Robert Raymond Gonser 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 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

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious