VanBuren Quarles

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch January 10, 1943

Age 47

Badge 491

The Vigil Panel 79 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Patrolman VanBuren Quarles succumbed to injuries he sustained as he and another officer struggled with a suspect. Patrolman Quarles and a second officer responded to a disturbance call on Oct. 18, 1941, regarding a fight at 3426 Junction Avenue and were attacked as they attempted to arrest the suspect. During the arrest attempt, Patrolman Quarles was kicked in the chest and stomach. The injuries caused him to suffer severe stomach ailments, and he died after undergoing corrective surgery. Patrolman Quarles was assigned to the Sixth Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, four brothers, and four sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-EFA1DF09
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 Quarles served with the Detroit Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Quarles.

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

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 10, 1943

Age 47

Badge Number 491

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Not available

Patrolman VanBuren Quarles 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