Michael L. Raburn
Detective

Michael L. Raburn

King County Sheriffs Dept. — Seattle, WA
Felonious
End of Watch March 27, 1984
Age 38
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 128 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Michael Raburn was stabbed with a sword while responding to the home of a mentally disturbed person. He was working plainclothes at the time to serve an eviction on the tenant. When he knocked on the front door, the subject reached through the doorway and stabbed him. Detective Raburn was able to fire several shots at the suspect while retreating. A SWAT team forced entry later in the night and shot and killed the suspect. Detective Raburn had served with the King County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two sons, foster son, father, brother, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-449A0C06
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.
Detective Raburn gave the King County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Raburn.

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

Agency

Location Seattle, WA
Platform Identity kingso.king.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 27, 1984
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon; Sword
Offender Shot and killed

Detective Michael L. Raburn 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At King County Sheriffs Dept., 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.

King County Sheriffs Dept.
11
of 18 officers
61.1% Felonious
WA — Statewide
187
of 339 officers
55.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael L. Raburn's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Michael L. Raburn Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael L. Raburn is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael L. Raburn was killed by edged weapon; sword.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location