David Bergum
1949
David I. Bergum.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Police Officer David Bergum was shot and killed while questioning a suspicious person at Ash Street near 17th Street around 4:15 a.m. His partner was shot and wounded. The 19-year-old suspect, who had just finished serving a robbery term and was the son of a former policeman, escaped but was later caught and arrested at a friend's home. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On November 18, 1953, he stabbed and seriously wounded a fellow inmate and then tried unsuccessfully to take his own life. He was still in prison in 1967. Officer Bergum was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Detroit Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, son, and daughter.
Service Record
Also Served
Detroit Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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