Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Vauris was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to an unwanted person call in the 3400 block of Wallis Street.
The suspect had entered the townhouse of family members who feared he was suicidal. Officer Vauris, who had recently been assigned as a negotiator, and several officers were in the kitchen with the man when a struggle ensued. The subject gained control of Officer Vauris' service weapon and shot in the chest twice. Officer Vauris was not wearing a vest at the time.
Other officers in the room returned fire, killing the suspect.
Officer Vauris had served with the Clinton Township Police Department for four years after having retired from the Detroit Police Department as a 27-year veteran.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A4685CF2- 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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Vauris gave the Clinton Township Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Clinton Township community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Vauris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard L. Vauris 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 Clinton Township Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard L. Vauris's cause is highlighted.
How Richard L. Vauris Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard L. Vauris is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinton Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
