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Claude Lanstra
Incident
Patrolman Lanstra and Patrolman Erhardt Meyer were shot and killed by the driver of a vehicle wanted for hit-and-run. The two had been investigating the accident and had just left the police station when other officers heard several shots fired. When they responded to the scene at E. Jefferson and Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park, the other officers found Patrolman Lanstra on the ground and Patrolman Meyer still in the patrol car, both mortally wounded. The responding officers spotted the vehicle and exchanged shots with it when they tried to stop it. Both suspects were apprehended. One later died in prison and the second was acquitted after receiving a new trial. Patrolman Lanstra had been with the agency for one year. He was survived by his parents and two brothers -- one of whom served as the police chief for St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two brothers -- one of whom served as the police chief for St.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Lanstra gave the Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lanstra.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Claude is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Claude is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Claude 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 1930, 14 officers in MI were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 24. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Claude was 24. 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. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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
Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety has 5 officers remembered here, Claude among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
