Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Benton Hacker succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on February 20th, 1948, while attempting to arrest a man who had just committed robberies of two filling stations.
As Officer Hacker and his partner checked the area they discovered the suspect's vehicle stopped for a passing Detroit Terminal freight train on Kercheval Avenue, near Hart Street. As Officer Hacker approached the car on foot the subject suddenly jumped from the vehicle and opened fire, striking him in the chest.
Officer Hacker was transported to a local hospital. The subject was arrested by other officers a short distance away.
Officer Hacker never fully recovered and was only able to return to desk duty until medically retiring with 25 years of service. His condition continued to worsen and he died from complications of the gunshot wound on March 29th, 1958.
Officer Hacker had served with the Detroit Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-8E2B1B4E- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Hacker gave the Detroit Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hacker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Benton James Hacker 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. Benton James Hacker's cause is highlighted.
How Benton James Hacker Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benton James Hacker is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benton James Hacker was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
