Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 11, 1970
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 1554
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 11, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Police Officer William Slappey was shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, as he and several other officers exchanged gunfire with a man.
The officers had entered an area of an apartment building known to be a narcotics trafficking area searching for stolen property. The suspect said he opened fire on the officers, who were in plainclothes because he thought they were going to rob him.
On Dec. 10, 1970 the suspect was acquitted when another officer admitted in court that the bullet that killed Officer Slappey may have come from his gun.
Officer Slappey was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.