Canton Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 27 years
Badge Number: 126
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: July 23, 2003
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Officer Stevens was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind while stopped on a dirt service road next to Michigan Avenue and Lotz Road.
The officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle parked nearby in tall grass at 1615 hours. He had just returned to his patrol car when another car, where the driver was speeding down the dirt road, went airborne and collided into his car. The collision caused his patrol car to roll over, partially ejecting him. Officer Stevens was transported to Oakwood Annapolis Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver and passenger in the other car were seriously injured. The driver was charged with murder in connection with the incident, but was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison.
Officer Stevens had been a full-time officer with the Canton Police Department for 25 years, and served as a reserve officer for an additional two years.
He is survived by his wife.