Merlin Ray

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch July 17, 1927

Age 26

The Vigil Panel 53 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Officer Ray, a student police officer, was shot and killed near his home when he attempted to take action during a robbery attempt while off duty. He and several friends were walking home when a suspect attempted to rob them at the intersection of Oakland and Chandler Streets. Officer Ray was shot when he attempted to draw his service weapon. He was transported to Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officer Ray was to be made a regular patrolman the next day. He was survived by his brother, a Detroit police officer, who was assigned to the Bethune Station. The suspect was never apprehended.

Survivors

He was survived by his brother, a Detroit police officer, who was assigned to the Bethune Station.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-6FB617BF
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 Ray served with the Detroit Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ray.

— 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 July 17, 1927

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender At large

Police Officer Merlin Ray 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