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Incident
Officer Ignatz Witkowski was shot and killed after being ambushed at the corner of 3rd Street and Davis Street in Wyandotte.
He had been followed by three suspects whom he had arrested several times for bootlegging. The men attacked him and shot him to death.
Officer Witkowski had served with the Ford Village Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Witkowski gave the Ford Village Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wyandotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Witkowski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ignatz is the only officer of Ford Village Police Department remembered here.
Ignatz is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Ignatz is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ignatz 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 1922, 2 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ignatz was 37. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Ignatz had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ignatz was 37. 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. Ignatz had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ignatz was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ignatz had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ford Village 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 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ford Village Police Department are honored on badge.nw.