Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Saturday, January 27, 1973
Age:
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: January 27, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Carlson was shot and killed when he responded to a report of a man firing a rifle in a neighborhood at 15495 Westbrook Street. He was accidentally caught in the crossfire when the suspect pointed his rifle at three other officers.
Officer Carlson and others responded to an afternoon call from the residence. According to the call, the suspect acted oddly and armed with a gun. When the officers arrived, the suspect's wife greeted them on the porch. The suspect exited the house and asked the officers if they had any whiskey. The officers said no. The suspect told them he would get some and retreated into the residence. He returned with a 22-caliber rifle. Officer Carlson was shot in the crossfire. The suspect was shot and killed.
Officer Carlson was a United States Army Korean War veteran who served with the Detroit Police Department for 17 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, and two brothers.