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Incident
Officer Dennis Lyons was shot and killed while chasing a man who had just been involved in a fight at a local tavern. Officer Lyons showed up at the fight scene on West Maumee Street near College Avenue and one of the men fled. As Officer Lyons chased him and ordered him to stop the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Lyons in the head, killing him instantly. The suspect was eventually apprehended and sentenced to eight years for manslaughter.
Officer Lyons had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, Michigan.
Officer Lyons had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, Michigan.
Survivors
Officer Lyons had been with the agency for two years and 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
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Lyons gave the Adrian Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Adrian community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Adrian Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dennis is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis 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 1880, 1 officer in MI was killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 36. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Dennis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Dennis 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. Dennis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.3% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Adrian Police Department. The weapon recorded was 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 handgun, in 23.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Adrian Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Adrian Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
