Police Officer Henry G. Puffer

Henry G. Puffer

Police Officer Henry Puffer was shot and killed when he interrupted five youths robbing a service station at Vinewood and West Warren.

The suspects opened fire on him before he could draw his weapon. Although mortally wounded, he chased the suspects a short distance before collapsing. He was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

One of the suspects was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Another was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He had shot and killed a drug store clerk a week earlier. He was paroled in 1961 and the other suspect was paroled in 1960. Of the other three, one was sentenced to 5 to 10 years for armed robbery and the other two were sentenced to 3 to 5 years for armed robbery. All five had committed several armed robberies. Neither they nor the police could get an exact count but it was several.

Officer Puffer had served with the Detroit Police Department for two years.