Shynelle Marie Mason
Agency patch
Police Officer

Shynelle Marie Mason

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
End of Watch July 14, 2000
Age 21
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 147 ›
Gender Female

Incident

Officer Shynelle Mason was shot to death during a confrontation with three men near the Mobil Mart station at Fenkell and Schaefer Streets.

Officer Mason was off duty and was with several female friends around 8 p.m. when the men began a conversation. When the women refused to participate, the men started arguing with them. Officer Mason identified herself as a police officer, and one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot her. The bullet entered Officer Mason's side and pierced her heart. She died en route to Sinai-Grace Hospital.

The suspect, 21, fled the scene but was identified and arrested early the next morning and charged with murder. Officer Mason had previously arrested the man for carrying a concealed weapon, and it was determined that he murdered her in retaliation for the arrest. The other accomplices were also charged in connection with this case.

The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 6, 2001.

Officer Mason had served with the Detroit Police Department for two years.

Survivors

She was survived by her mother, brother, sister, and niece.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-BFE36B4D
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Shynelle. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Mason gave the Detroit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mason.

— 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 July 14, 2000
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 21
Gender Female

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Police Officer Shynelle Marie Mason 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. Shynelle Marie Mason'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 Shynelle Marie Mason Compares

Age at End of Watch
21
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Shynelle Marie Mason is highlighted in Jul.

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.

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

Incident Location