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Mark Anthony Sawyers
Incident
Officer Sawyers died of wounds he received the previous day when he was shot while sitting in his patrol car.
Officer Sawyers had just finished investigating a traffic accident and parked his patrol car in the parking lot of a shopping center at 15 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue. While Officer Sawyers was completing the paperwork for the accident, a vehicle pulled up next to his patrol car and a male armed with a shotgun opened fire, striking Officer Sawyers in the head. The suspect then stole Officer Sawyer's service weapon and fled.
Officer Sawyers was transported to St. John Macomb Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The suspect's motive in the killing was to acquire a handgun. On July 25, 2004, the suspect was located in Jacksonville, Florida, after being featured on the television show America's Most Wanted. As a SWAT team of local deputies and U.S. marshals stormed the house the suspect committed suicide using Officer Sawyers' stolen service weapon.
Officer Sawyers had served with the Sterling Heights Police Department for seven months, and had previously served for three years with the Detroit Police Department.
Officer Sawyers had served with the Sterling Heights Police Department for seven months, and had previously served for three years with the Detroit Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Police Officer Sawyers gave the Sterling Heights Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sterling Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sawyers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sterling Heights Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 30. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Mark had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Mark was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Sterling Heights Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Sterling Heights Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Sterling Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
