Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Rapaski was shot and killed during a robbery at the Cherry Hill Bar at 4820 E. Davison Street while he was off duty with his wife. During the robbery the two suspects made him and the bar owner lay face down on the floor. As Officer Rapaski went for his gun the suspects shot him in the back seven times and then shot and killed the bar owner. The next day one of the suspects, 21, accidentally shot and killed himself as he went for his gun when cornered by police officers. The second suspect, 22, turned himself in the next day. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on August 16, 1969. As of October 4, 2022, he was still in prison. Officer Rapaski served 7 years with the Detroit Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-9A96AC6D- 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 Rapaski 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 Rapaski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Stanley Rapaski 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. Stanley Rapaski's cause is highlighted.
How Stanley Rapaski Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stanley Rapaski is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stanley Rapaski was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
