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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude Wilson succumbed to injuries sustained three days before when his cruiser was struck by a drunk driver at Nine Mile and Berg Road, in Southfield.
Deputy Wilson was on routine patrol when the suspect ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle. A passenger in the other car died at the scene. The drunk driver was charged with negligent homicide but committed suicide before coming to trial.
Deputy Wilson had served with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother and aunt.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Wilson gave the Oakland County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pontiac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oakland County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 6 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer at Oakland County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 1935, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 47. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Oakland County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43.3 and 48.5; the middle age was 47. Claude had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Claude was 47. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Claude was 47. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 47. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Oakland County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 50%. Sundays: 33.3%.
January holds 8.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1.2% 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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
Oakland County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Claude among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oakland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
