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Police Officer Frank X. Siemion | Detroit Police Department, Michigan
Detroit Police Department, Michigan

Police Officer

Frank X. Siemion

Detroit Police Department, Michigan

End of Watch: Thursday, February 25, 1982

Biographical Info

Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 25, 1982
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Officer Siemion was shot and killed as he and several other officers investigated a burglary call at a liquor store at 6800 E. Lafayette Street. Officer Siemion, the first officer to enter the building, was shot by a 19-year-old youth.

Officer Siemon had climbed security scaffolding and entered the store through a window. He encountered one of the bandits in a vacant apartment about the store and handcuffed him. He then kicked open the door to a bathroom where a second suspect was hiding. The man second suspect fired one shot, which struck Officer Siemion in this bulletproof vest but also grazed his upper seam and hit his badge. The bullet penetrated Officer Siemion's upper chest and deflected downward toward his heart. Responding officers were unable to force the door open and had to climb into the damaged window and pass their fellow officer down through a human chain to a waiting window. He died during surgery five hours later.

The suspect, along with two accomplices, were apprehended at the scene and charged with Officer Siemion's murder.