Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper James DeLoach and Trooper Steven Niewiek were killed when their patrol car was struck by a train as they responded to a call to assist a fellow trooper who was struggling with a suspect at a nearby tavern. At the Scott Lake Road railroad crossing, the troopers crossed in front of an eastbound Canadian National freight train. The patrol car exploded on impact and was thrown about 400 feet. Several citizens were able to pull Trooper Niewiek from the burning car, but due to the intensity of the fire, they were unable to reach Trooper DeLoach, who was pinned in the driver's seat. Trooper DeLoach died instantly, and Trooper Niewiek passed away during surgery at 3:35 am the following morning at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. Six citizens who pulled the two troopers from the wreckage received the Citizen's Award for Bravery for their actions. Trooper DeLoach had been with the Michigan State Police for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-B6777CE4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper DeLoach gave the Michigan State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper DeLoach.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper James R. DeLoach is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In MI, 229 of 718 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.9% of this state's fallen. That is 31.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At MI State Police, 29 of 57 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James R. DeLoach's cause is highlighted.
How James R. DeLoach Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James R. DeLoach is highlighted in Feb.
Others Who Wore This Badge
56 officers from MI State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
