Roll of Honor
Incident
Chaplain William Paris was shot and killed while attempting to negotiate with a man at the Hotel Addison who had just shot a hotel manager and himself. The suspect agreed to talk with the unarmed chaplain, but as Chaplain Paris came into view, the suspect opened fire, striking him in the head. The suspect then shot and wounded a tactical officer who was attempting to rescue Chaplain Paris. Chaplain Paris died of his injuries two days later. The suspect, a former mental patient, was shot and killed by a police sniper when he went to the roof and began firing at other officers. Chaplain Paris, the pastor of the AME Zion Church, had served with the Detroit Police Department for two years. He was the first Detroit police chaplain slain in the line of duty.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-ED315C55- 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.
Chaplain Paris gave the Detroit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chaplain Paris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chaplain William Paris 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. William Paris's cause is highlighted.
How William Paris Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Paris is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Paris was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
