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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
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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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
King County Sheriff's Office has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 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 1984, 1 officer at King County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 38. Of the 9 killed feloniously at King County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 46; the middle age was 44. Michael had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 38. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Michael had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 38. 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 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 38. 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 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 27.3% of these deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 9.1%.
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
King County Sheriff's Office has 18 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Wesley F. Cherry Mar 6, 1854
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Louis V. Wyckoff
Jan 20, 1882
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George W. Poor Jul 26, 1891
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Cornelius Rowley
Jul 4, 1902
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Robert Carl Scott
Apr 4, 1920
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Steven S. Watson Jul 9, 1934
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Thomas Charles Meehan
Nov 13, 1935
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John Frederick Mines
Jul 19, 1946
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George H. Yeaman, Jr.
Jul 22, 1946
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Norman F. Silkworth
Mar 7, 1952
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Donald A. Armeni
Sep 15, 1954
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Samuel A. Hicks
Jun 24, 1982
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Michael L. Raburn
Mar 27, 1984
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Richard S. Cochran, II
May 22, 1991
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Mark William Brown
Feb 27, 1999
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Richard Anthony Herzog
Jun 22, 2002
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Steven E. Cox
Dec 2, 2006
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Reginald Bernard Thomas
Sep 7, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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