Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Henry Slater died of injuries he received when he was struck by a railcar while sitting on his post at Bridge Street and Canal Streets (modern-day Monroe Avenue). The railcar had not switched tracks properly, and Patrolman Slater was dragged into the wheels of the railcar, trapping him. He was instrumental in his own rescue as he directed the men who freed him. After his rescue, he was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Patrolman Slater served with the Grand Rapids Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and six children. Patrolman Slater's brother, a Detective with the Grand Rapids Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty 14 years later.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F873A288- 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 Slater gave the Grand Rapids Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Slater.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Henry Slater is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 229 of 718 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.9% of this state's fallen. That is 0.9 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Grand Rapids Police Department, 7 of 15 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 46.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry Slater's cause is highlighted.
How Henry Slater Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Slater is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
