Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Andrews was shot and killed while working an undercover operation in the parking lot of a hotel at 2712 Gratiot Avenue. During the operation, a suspect attempted to rob him and he identified himself as a deputy. The suspect then shot and killed him. The subject committed suicide with Deputy Andrews' gun early the next morning as officers attempted to arrest him. An accomplice turned himself in later in the day. Deputy Andrews had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Andrews gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Andrews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1976, 1 officer at Wayne County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 5 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 39. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wayne County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 47.3; the middle age was 35.5. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 39. 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. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 28.6%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.6% 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
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Charles Small Jul 6, 1857
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Thomas Clancy May 5, 1860
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Thomas Lee Wojtowicz Nov 12, 1968
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Henry C. Henderson
Mar 9, 1972
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Paul Lee Mickel
Nov 18, 1973
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Thomas Eugene Andrews
Dec 4, 1976
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William Dickerson
Sep 11, 1991
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Lee Eric Smith
Aug 14, 2018
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Donafay Collins
Mar 25, 2020
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Dean Michael Savard
Apr 3, 2020
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Bryant Searcy
Sep 2, 2020
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Benny N. Napoleon
Dec 17, 2020
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John Joseph Wojciechowski
Dec 21, 2021
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Ernest M. Robinson
Jan 18, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.









