Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Monday, October 6, 1986
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 1837
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 6, 1986
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Officer Freddie Jackson was shot and killed while working a plainclothes detail in an area around the 15000 block of Idaho that had been experiencing a high level of automobile burglaries. He and his partner had observed three men tampering with a car. As they approached the men they all fled the scene.
The two officers began examining the car for damage when a man, the son of a local business owner, stepped out of a building with a shotgun and opened fire, striking Officer Jackson in the chest. The man was the vehicle's owner and thought the two officers were breaking into it. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Officer Jackson's murder.
Officer Jackson had served with the Detroit Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the United States Army. He was survived by his wife and four children.