Sterling Heights Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Saturday, June 5, 2004
Add to My HeroesMark Anthony Sawyers
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. He is survived by his wife and child.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 3 years, 6 months
- Badge 76
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, June 4, 2004
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 1,206 ReflectionsHappy Birthday Mark we all miss you. Love Gabriella
Gabriella Sawyers
Niece
November 28, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024