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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Paul Mickel was shot and killed with his own service revolver by a suspect who had refused to pay for his meal at a restaurant at 12118 Fort Street in Southgate.
The manager of the restaurant knew that Deputy Mickel was a deputy and asked him to intervene when the man began to argue with him. As Deputy Mickel waited for backup officers to arrive, the suspect began to struggle with him. As they struggled, another man got involved, grabbed Deputy Mickel's service weapon, shot and killed him, and then shot and killed a woman, 37, as she was entering the restaurant.
The suspect, 27, who shot Deputy Mickel, and the woman were sentenced to life in prison. As of October 17, 2022, the killer was still in prison, where he will stay until his death. The other man, 25, was convicted of manslaughter and served 10 years in prison.
Deputy Mickel was single and had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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 Mickel served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mickel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Paul is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Paul is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer at Wayne County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Paul was 23. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wayne County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 47.3; the middle age was 35.5. Paul had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Paul was 23. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Paul had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Paul was 23. 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. Paul had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 14.3% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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Charles Small Jul 6, 1857
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Thomas Clancy May 5, 1860
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Thomas Lee Wojtowicz Nov 12, 1968
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Henry C. Henderson
Mar 9, 1972
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Paul Lee Mickel
Nov 18, 1973
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Thomas Eugene Andrews
Dec 4, 1976
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William Dickerson
Sep 11, 1991
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Lee Eric Smith
Aug 14, 2018
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Donafay Collins
Mar 25, 2020
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Dean Michael Savard
Apr 3, 2020
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Bryant Searcy
Sep 2, 2020
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Benny N. Napoleon
Dec 17, 2020
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John Joseph Wojciechowski
Dec 21, 2021
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Ernest M. Robinson
Jan 18, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
