Paul E. Begin
Agency patch
Police Officer

Paul E. Begin

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
End of Watch October 25, 1969
Age 24
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 417
The Vigil Panel 106 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Paul Begin was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to jail after he and his partner arrested a man on outstanding warrants during a traffic stop. The suspect was handcuffed and placed in the backseat of the patrol car. A female acquaintance of the suspect was allowed to ride to the police station in the backseat of the patrol car as well but was not handcuffed because she was not under arrest. As they were being driven to the police station the female produced a handgun and shot Officer Begin and his partner in the back of the head near St. Jean Street and Vernor Highway. His partner was only slightly wounded. Both suspects, 25, fled the scene but were apprehended several days later. The woman was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. The man was tried for murder and acquitted. Officer Begin had served with the Detroit Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, stepson, mother, and four siblings.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 Begin gave the Detroit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Begin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Detroit, Wayne County, MI
Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 25, 1969
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 24
Badge Number 417
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Paul is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Paul was 24. 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. Paul had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Detroit Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Paul among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Paul E. Begin

Detroit Police Department · End of Watch October 25, 1969

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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