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Incident
Police Officer Michael McAllister was shot and killed while searching a suspect after responding to a report of gunshots at 2:45 am. When he arrived on the scene, he located the suspect on North Shore Drive, just north of the city limits, and began to pat him down. With his back to Officer McAllister during the search, the suspect suddenly fired a gun through his own coat, striking Officer McAllister in the stomach three times. The subject was apprehended a short distance away. At the time of the shooting, the subject was a radical and was wanted for the October 9th, 1971, hijacking of Eastern Airlines Flight 953 and its 44 passengers on a flight from Detroit to Miami. He forced the pilots to fly to Havana, Cuba. It was discovered that he had stayed in Cuba for four years before secretly returning to the United States. He was sentenced to life in prison for Officer McAllister's murder on September 10th, 1976. In February 2021, he was granted parole and released in May 2021. Officer McAllister had served with the South Haven Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McAllister gave the South Haven Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McAllister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of South Haven Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 5 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 40. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 40. 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. Michael had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at South Haven Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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