Benton Township Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 29, 1970
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 9 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 29, 1970
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Ruled mentally ill and released
Sergeant Robert Stevens was shot and killed when a mentally ill man took control of his firearm and shot and killed him.
Sergeant Stevens was on break, eating with other officers at an all night restaurant, when the man approached the seated officers and went immediately for Sgt. Steven's duty revolver. He was able to remove it from the holster and shot Sergeant Stevens. The subject was pursued out of the restaurant by other officers and captured in the parking lot. The man was later ruled to be mentally ill and released.
Sergeant Stevens had served with the Benton Township Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, six sisters, and four brothers.