Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Friday, May 12, 1916
Add to My HeroesLeland Alexander
Patrolman Leland Alexander was shot and killed in a gun battle with three robbery suspects between Illinois Street and Leland Street.
Police Officer Alexander and his partner Officer Louis Hacker were initially responding to a loitering complaint. When they arrived at the nearby saloon around 11:30 p.m., the loitering suspects dispersed in separate directions. Officer Hacker chased the men who went west while Alexander went east. He was killed in an exchange of gunfire in an alleyway. All three suspects were apprehended later in the day. Investigators determined the group had been involved in a string of downtown robberies.
The confessed gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On August 28, 1931, he died a hero in the prison hospital as he went to the aid of a dying doctor who had just been shot by an inmate with a smuggled gun. That inmate shot and killed him and three others before killing himself. Patrolman Alexander's killer was posthumously pardoned by Governor Wilbur M. Brucker.
Patrolman Alexander was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 6 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Died in prison
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsNo amount of time can ever make us forget your service and sacrifice for our country. Thank you and RIP
John Haseltine - Civilian
May 12, 2016
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025