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Incident
Officer Stevens was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind while stopped on a dirt service road next to Michigan Avenue and Lotz Road.
The officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle parked nearby in tall grass at 1615 hours. He had just returned to his patrol car when another car, where the driver was speeding down the dirt road, went airborne and collided into his car. The collision caused his patrol car to roll over, partially ejecting him. Officer Stevens was transported to Oakwood Annapolis Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver and passenger in the other car were seriously injured. The driver was charged with murder in connection with the incident, but was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison.
Officer Stevens had been a full-time officer with the Canton Police Department for 25 years, and served as a reserve officer for an additional two years.
He is survived by his wife.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Stevens gave the Canton Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Stevens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gordon is the only officer of Canton Police Department remembered here.
Gordon is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gordon 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 2003, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gordon was 52. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Gordon had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 52. 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. Gordon had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 52. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gordon had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.2% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Canton Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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