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Boleslaus J. Wozniak
Incident
Location: Michigan Incident Date: Thursday, May 16, 1918 Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Railroad Detective Bernard Wozniak, Railroad Rody Goe, and Railroad Detective George Ziemba were shot and killed in the Dearborn Yards, near Miller Road in Dearborn, Michigan, while they conducted surveillance with five other detectives.
Earlier in the day, a railroad worker had discovered a pile of stolen tires hidden in the railroad yards. The detectives were alerted and hid near the area to await the return of the thieves.
At approximately 10:00 pm four men were observed approaching the area carrying timber they were going to use to string the tires onto. When Detective Goe shined his light on them and told them to stop, the men immediately opened fire. Detective Goe, Detective Wozniak, and Detective Ziemba were mortally wounded and one other railroad detective non-life-threatening wounds. It is believed that Detective Wozniak was inadvertently struck by a shotgun blast fired by another detective as he ran up an embankment.
The other detectives returned fire but did not strike the suspects as they fled. Detective Wozniak succumbed to his wounds on May 20th, 1918, and Detective Ziemba succumbed to his on May 25th, 1918.
Two of the suspects were apprehended the following night. Both men were convicted of Detective Goe's murder and sentenced to life in prison. On November 21st, 1918, one of the men escaped from the state prison in Jackson. It is not known if he was ever recaptured.
Detective Wozniak was survived by his parents. He was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.
Survivors
Detective Wozniak was survived by his parents.
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.
Railroad Detective Wozniak served with the Michigan Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Wozniak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Michigan Central Railroad Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Boleslaus is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Boleslaus is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Boleslaus is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1918, 39 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1918, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Boleslaus was 25. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Boleslaus had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Boleslaus was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Boleslaus had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Boleslaus was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Boleslaus had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.7% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Michigan Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Michigan Central Railroad Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Boleslaus among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Michigan Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
