Reed Howard

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch March 25, 1932

Age 32

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 64 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Officer Howard was the first black officer to be killed in the line of duty while serving with the Detroit Police Department. He was shot and killed while working an undercover operation in an attempt to purchase illegal liquor at an after-hours gambling and drinking establishment at 1491 Macomb Street. Officer Howard entered the speakeasy or "blind pig" with an informant and then became involved in an argument while inside. Officer Howard was shot by the speakeasy's owner but was able to return fire, killing the suspect. Officer Howard was taken to Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officer Howard had served with the Detroit Police Department for 2 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-FD37E3B0
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 Howard 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 Howard.

— 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 March 25, 1932

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer Reed Howard 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