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Incident
Detective Sergeant Mickley was shot and killed with his own weapon while struggling with an armed robbery suspect. He and his partner observed the suspect robbing a man making a night deposit at a local bank. When the suspect saw the officers he opened fire on their car. Sergeant Mickley gave chase and caught the man in an alley and apprehended him. While walking the suspect back to the vehicle the man started struggling with Sergeant Mickley. He twisted his gun around and fired it, striking him in the head. The suspect fled but was apprehended one week later. He was convicted of Detective Sergeant Mickley's murder and remained in prison until his death in 1969. Detective Sergeant Mickley had served in law enforcement for several years with different agencies. He was responsible for the apprehension of Detroit Police Officer Andrew Rusinko's murderer four years earlier and was shot five times by the suspect, but fully recovered.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Mickley served with the Hamtramck Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hamtramck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Mickley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamtramck Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1930, 14 officers in MI were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
John 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.
John was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Hamtramck Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% 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.
His people
Hamtramck Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hamtramck Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
