Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Louis Hinkel was shot and killed by a man armed with a rifle at 14251 Robertson Street in Dearborn. When Lieutenant Hinkel arrived at the scene, he attempted to talk the man into dropping the rifle, but the man opened fire, killing him. He was transported to Oakwood Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject, 24, was taken into custody by other officers. He was convicted of Lieutenant Hinkel's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on December 3, 1992. Lieutenant Hinkel was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served with the Dearborn Police Department for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-72CA8F2B- 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.
Lieutenant Hinkel gave the Dearborn Police Department 27 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dearborn 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
Louis Arthur Hinkel served in the Army (1943â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Lieutenant Louis Arthur Hinkel 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 Dearborn Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis Arthur Hinkel's cause is highlighted.
How Louis Arthur Hinkel Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Louis Arthur Hinkel is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Louis Arthur Hinkel was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dearborn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
