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Incident
Patrolman Roy Graham was killed when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on Sumpter Road in Van Buren Township. A Van Buren Township police officer had stopped a vehicle for drunk driving. During the arrest, a second drunk driver struck the Van Buren officer's patrol car. At 2:00 am Sumpter Township officers responded to assist at the scene of this accident and while there, a third drunk driver struck the patrol car Patrolman Graham and his partner were in. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where Patrolman Graham succumbed to his injuries. The drunk driver who struck Patrolman Graham was charged with drunk driving, causing an accident, and manslaughter.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Graham served with the Sumpter Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Belleville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Graham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roy is the only officer of Sumpter Township Police Department remembered here.
Roy is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 4 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 33. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Roy was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Roy was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sumpter Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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