Mount Clemens Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Thursday, November 1, 1973
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 22
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 1, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman Robert Ahrens was shot and killed at 5:00 p.m. after responding to a holdup alarm at the Time Shop jewelry store.
He entered the store alone and was shot and killed by five suspects who were in the process of robbing the store. He was able to wound one of the suspects before one of the other men shot him again. One of the suspects was later shot and killed during a standoff.
Three other suspects, two men and a woman, were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. Another accomplice was not charged since he was convicted of murder for shooting Sergeant Alvis P. Morris, Jr.
Patrolman Ahrens had served with the Mount Clemens Police Department for four years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.