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Incident
Officer Rivers was shot and killed as he and his partner were involved in a foot pursuit of a burglary suspect. Another officer was interviewing the two suspects in front of a local store when one of the men ran. Officer Rivers and his partner responded to the officer's call for assistance. Officer Rivers' partner, who had tripped during the pursuit, heard two gun shots coming from across the parking lot. He and the original officer found Officer Rivers suffering from two shots to this head, one to his arm, and one to his leg. The suspect, 21, was apprehended. Two months later he and another inmate escaped from Jefferson Davis Mental Hospital in Houston. He was recaptured, convicted of capital murder, escape, and sentenced to life on March 26, 1981. He was denied parole on August 20, 2018. His next parole hearing is in July of 2023. Officer Rivers had served with the agency for only 1 year and had previously served with the Houston Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
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.
Police Officer Rivers gave the Hedwig Village Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rivers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of Hedwig Village Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1980, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Michael was 32. 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. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
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 100% of all 1 deaths at Hedwig Village Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hedwig Village Police Department are honored on badge.nw.