Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 27, 1972
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 27, 1972
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Later shot and killed
Police Officer Robert Bradford was shot and killed when he and Police Officer Robert Dooley were on a stakeout at 9250 Carlin Street. The officers were searching for three subjects who were wanted in connection with several robberies and shootings of police officers.
The officers observed the three men exit a home and confronted them. When they did so shots were exchanged and Officer Bradford was killed and Officer Dooley was critically wounded. Officer Dooley succumbed to his wounds on September 15th, 2012.
The subjects fled the scene. Two of them were later shot and killed in two separate shootouts with police officers in Atlanta, Georgia.
Officer Bradford had served with the Detroit Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.