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Patrolman

Omer James Reygaert

Romeo Police Department — Romeo, MI

Felonious

End of Watch September 21, 1969

Age 34

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 105 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Reygaert was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped a vehicle driven by a man suspected of an earlier shooting. The suspect shot Patrolman Reygaert in the chest and then disarmed Patrolman Reygaert's partner at gunpoint. He then handcuffed the partner to Patrolman Reygaert and fled the scene. The suspect was arrested in London, Ontario, 25 days later. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 22, 1971. He was paroled on August 5, 1978.

Survivors

Patrolman Reygaert had served with the Romeo Police Department for 2 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-EE08B2DB
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.
Patrolman Reygaert gave the Romeo Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Romeo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Reygaert.

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

Agency

Department Romeo Police Department

Location Romeo, MI

Platform Identity romepd.macomb.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 21, 1969

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber

Offender Sentenced to 15 years

Patrolman Omer James Reygaert 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%.

Romeo Police Department

of 1 officers

100% 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. Omer James Reygaert'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 Omer James Reygaert Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 15 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Omer James Reygaert is highlighted in Sep.

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. Omer James Reygaert was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518