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Incident
Sergeant Robert Stevens was shot and killed when a mentally ill man took control of his firearm and shot and killed him at 2:35 a.m. Sergeant Stevens was on break, eating with other officers at an all-night restaurant on Napier Avenue at Interstate 94 when the man approached the seated officers and went immediately for Sgt. Steven's duty revolver. He was able to remove it from the holster and shot Sergeant Stevens. The subject was pursued out of the restaurant by other officers and captured in the parking lot. The man was later ruled to be mentally ill and released. Sergeant Stevens had served with the Benton Township Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a mother, six sisters, and four brothers.
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.
Sergeant Stevens gave the Benton Township Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Stevens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robert is the only officer of Benton Township Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1970, 7 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 36. 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. Robert had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 9.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.3% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Benton Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's 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 officer's handgun, in 5.5% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Benton Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.