Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Edward Pakula and Sergeant Leonard Todd were shot and killed after responding to a call from a barricaded gunman. As soon as they arrived at the gunman's residence at 14021 Mayfield Street, they were met with a hail of bullets. Two other officers were seriously wounded before the suspect was talked into giving himself up. The suspect had been under psychiatric care for several months. The suspect pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 to 80 years on June 4, 1974. He died in prison on June 27, 1975. Officer Pakula was a United States Marine and had served with the Detroit Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-E7CF1B10- 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 Edward. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Pakula gave the Detroit Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Edward Pakula, Jr. served in the Marine Corps (1965â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Edward Pakula, Jr. 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. Edward Pakula, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Edward Pakula, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 40 to 80 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Pakula, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Pakula, Jr. 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.
