Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Clarence Stadler and Detective Lieutenant Benjamin Smith, both in plainclothes, were shot and killed during a shootout with two suspects who were attempting to rob a $15,000 payroll at 7777 West Chicago Street at 11 a.m. Detective Stadler was struck twice in the face and once in the abdomen. He was transported to Highland Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detective Lieutenant Smith was also shot and died the following day. One of the suspects was shot and killed and another was wounded. Detective Stadler, who served in WWI, had been with the Detroit Police Department for 13 years and was cited six times for bravery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, infant son, young daughter, parents and other family members.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-FCED6610- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Stadler gave the Detroit Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Clarence L. Stadler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective Clarence L. Stadler 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. Clarence L. Stadler's cause is highlighted.
How Clarence L. Stadler Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence L. Stadler is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence L. Stadler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
