Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Wednesday, January 16, 1974
Add to My HeroesEdward Pakula, Jr.
Officer Edward Pakula and Sergeant Leonard Todd were shot and killed after responding to a call from a barricaded gunman.
As soon as they arrived at the gunman's residence at 14021 Mayfield Street, they were met with a hail of bullets. Two other officers were seriously wounded before the suspect was talked into giving himself up. The suspect had been under psychiatric care for several months.
The suspect pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 to 80 years on June 4, 1974. He died in prison on June 27, 1975.
Officer Pakula was a United States Marine and had served with the Detroit Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and child.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 1906
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Died in prison
Related LODD Deaths
Sergeant Leonard M. Todd
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: January 16, 1974
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsI have a vivid memory of this incident that occurred just before I turned 11 and along the route I used to walk to school. I was a safety patrol at Robinson Elementary and this was near my Beat. From the bullet holes in the side of the house, to the blood stains on the ground from the fallen officers. I will never forget this incident nor the ultimate sacrifice that they made on that fateful day for the community and citizens they served!
Fire Marshal M. Albo
Southfield FD
January 15, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Peter E. C. Jerving
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: February 7, 2023
Police Officer Sean Sluganski
McKeesport Police Department, PA
EOW: February 6, 2023
Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: November 13, 2022
Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023
Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023
Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023
Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023
Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023
Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022