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Incident
Sergeant Clarence Dietzel was shot and fatally wounded, and Captain Daniel Waters was killed in a gunfight with an ex-convict. The suspect was wanted for shooting at police the previous night when they responded to a local bar where he had caused a disturbance. Sergeant Dietzel and Captain Waters were waiting at the Bancroft Hotel for the suspect and his girlfriend, who had left her son at the hotel. When the pair drove up, they fired at the officers, and a gunfight ensued. Captain Waters died at the scene. The suspects escaped. Minutes later, when police forced the couple to pull over, they found that the suspect was critically wounded. He died in the hospital a short time later. Sergeant Dietzel was transported to Saginaw General Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspect was a parolee who had been released a month earlier. It was later discovered that he and his girlfriend had murdered a man in Wayne, Michigan, a month earlier, stolen his vehicle, and had been on a robbery spree throughout the area. Sergeant Dietzel had served with the Saginaw Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Dietzel gave the Saginaw Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Saginaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dietzel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Saginaw Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Clarence is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 2 officers at Saginaw Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1950, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clarence was 53. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Saginaw Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 37; the middle age was 36. Clarence had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Clarence was 53. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Clarence had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Clarence was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 50% of these deaths at Saginaw Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.7%.
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Saginaw Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Saginaw Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Saginaw Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
