Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant John Tsolis and Police Officer James Watts of the Detroit Police Department were shot as they executed a narcotics search warrant at the home of the suspect at 13145 Appoline Street in Detroit. At 6:30 a.m., two Highland Park Police officers and three Detroit Police officers arrived at the house and arrested two men. When Detective Tsolis and Officer Watts opened the door to a bedroom, the suspect, who was hiding in a closet on the second floor, began firing with two guns. Detective Tsolis was killed instantly, and Officer Watts suffered wounds in his arm and chest. He was able to return fire but did not wound the suspect. Detective Tsolis died of his wounds at the scene. Officer Watts succumbed to his wounds on March 15th, 1975. The suspect pleaded guilty to the murder of Detective Tsolis and was sentenced to 10-20 years. Another suspect was convicted of possession of narcotics and sentenced to five years. Detective Tsolis had served with the Highland Park Police Department for 24 years and was the head of the Anti-Vice Bureau.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F8EE6ACA- 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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Tsolis gave the Highland Park Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Highland Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Tsolis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant John Paul Tsolis 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 Highland Park Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Paul Tsolis's cause is highlighted.
How John Paul Tsolis Compares
Offender Outcome
Plead guilty and sentenced 10-20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Paul Tsolis is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Paul Tsolis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Highland Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
