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Incident
Detective Wopinski was shot and killed when he encountered a mentally disturbed man at St. John and Everette Streets. The man was muttering to himself and when Detective Wopinski asked him what he was doing the man jumped up and began firing a pistol, striking Detective Wopinski in the abdomen. A second shot struck an innocent bystander. Other officers arriving on the scene shot and killed the suspect.
Survivors
Detective Wopinski had served with the agency for 8 years and was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Detective Wopinski gave the Flint Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flint community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Wopinski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Flint Police Department has lost 13 officers; 4 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 1932, 5 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30.8% of all 13 deaths at Flint Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Flint Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Cleveland Murphy Corless Aug 6, 1916
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Caleb Embree Smith
Oct 27, 1921
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Avery M. Hudson Jun 28, 1923
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Matthew Hauer
Apr 18, 1924
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John Wopinski Aug 8, 1932
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Gerald Leach Sep 21, 1940
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Neil Krantz
Apr 24, 1951
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James McCullough Feb 28, 1952
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Alton Fritcher
Jan 5, 1969
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Leslie Dean Keely
Sep 24, 1999
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Owen David Fisher
Jul 16, 2005
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David Lucious Williams
Feb 24, 2009
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Collin Brevik Birnie
Feb 4, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Flint Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
