Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Monday, October 17, 1988
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 17, 1988
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Lieutenant James Schmit and Police Officer Frank Walls were shot and killed while they and several other officers attempted to remove a mentally disturbed man from his apartment at 4130 Springle Avenue.
At 7:30 a.m., officers arrived at the apartment after receiving reports of a disturbance. Officers evacuated all tenants when it was revealed that the subject had soaked his unit with gasoline. At 9:30 a.m., while attempting to talk to the subject, the man opened fire through the front door with a 30-30 rifle, mortally wounding Lieutenant Schmit, who was located outside.
Lieutenant Schmit was transported to Samaritan Health Center, where he succumbed to his wounds after five hours of surgery.
Following a six-hour siege, the suspect then shot and killed Officer Walls as he led a special operations team into the apartment during the standoff. The entry team had secured the lower level of the apartment, and as Officer Walls moved to the stairs, he was shot and killed. Other officers shot and killed the suspect.
Lieutenant Schmit had served with the Detroit Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.