William Green
Agency patch
Police Officer

William Green

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
End of Watch March 29, 1982
Age 29
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 496
The Vigil Panel 125 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer William Green was shot and killed when he and his partner approached a group of teenagers suspected of engaging in drug activity at 11:05 p.m. at the corner of Woodward and Leicester in front of the Ambassador Convalescent Center. The officers, who were in plainclothes, stopped the group to question them. One of the youths pulled out a gun and shot Officer Green in the head. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter in connection with Officer Green's death. Officer Green had served with the agency for 9 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his two children, mother, and sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-BC1D8504
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 Green gave the Detroit Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Green.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Detroit, MI
Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 29, 1982
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 496
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender plainclothes

Police Officer William Green 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.

Detroit Police Department
177
of 250 officers
70.8% Felonious
MI — Statewide
426
of 718 officers
59.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Green's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How William Green Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

plainclothes

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Green is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Green was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location