Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Vandenberg was struck and killed by a drunk driver as he and three other officers investigated a suspicious vehicle at Conner Street and E. McNichols Road. As the officers were returning to their patrol car the drunk driver struck Officer Vandenberg and narrowly missed another officer. One of the other officers was able to stop the suspect a short distance away and arrested him.
Survivors
Officer Vandenberg had served with the Detroit Police Department for 15 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-8BA9FC5D- 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 Vandenberg gave the Detroit Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vandenberg.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John E. Vandenberg 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. John E. Vandenberg's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Vandenberg Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Vandenberg is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Vandenberg was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
