Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Wortmann and Officer Danny Watson were shot and killed when they approached a man and a woman for reasons that are unknown. The man remained at the scene after being approached by the officers while the woman ran to his brother's home for help. The man said he and his brother shot at the two officers, who were in plain clothes, because he thought they were going to rob him. He said he had just left a store he managed at 6524 W. Fort Ave. around 11:30 p.m. with a large amount of money. Officer Watson died at the scene, and Officer Wortmann died from his wounds the following day. Both brothers were freed after an investigation showed no evidence of criminal intent and that both officers failed to identify themselves as police officers. Officer Wortmann had served with the Detroit Police Department for two and a half years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-EED23441- 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 Wortmann 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 Wortmann.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William G. Wortmann 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 G. Wortmann's cause is highlighted.
How William G. Wortmann Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested and released
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William G. Wortmann is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William G. Wortmann was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
