John James "Jack" Fitzpatrick

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch October 9, 1987

Age 41

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Badge 1697

The Vigil Panel 132 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Police Officer Jack Fitzpatrick was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on patrol at Van Dyke and East Outer Drive. At 2:30 a.m., Officer Fitzpatrick was a passenger in the patrol vehicle traveling north on Van Dyke when they were hit by the driver of a car driving east on East Outer Drive, who ran a red light at 80 mph. The patrol car was pushed across three lanes of traffic. Officer Fitzpatrick died at the scene, and two other officers were injured. The driver, who had a .25 blood alcohol level, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison. Officer Fitzpatrick served with the Detroit Police Department for 18 years and was a member of the tactical services section.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-6F20261E
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 Fitzpatrick gave the Detroit Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fitzpatrick.

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

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 9, 1987

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 41

Badge Number 1697

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 10-15 years

Police Officer John James "Jack" Fitzpatrick 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.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious