Trooper Albert W. Souden

Albert W. Souden

Trooper Albert Souden was shot and killed after being abducted by a robbery suspect in Argentine, Michigan.

Trooper Souden had driven to the city to investigate a vehicle seen leaving the area of the robbery. When he knocked on the door, the suspect surprised him and gained control of his service weapon. He forced Trooper Souden to drive to a secluded wooded area, where he shot him and buried him in a shallow grave.

The suspect, an ex-convict sent to prison in 1933 and again in 1940 for armed robbery, was apprehended the next day. The man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled on February 11, 1972. Seven months later, he was arrested near Harrison, Michigan, after he broke into a home and shot the owner.

Trooper Souden was a United States Air Force veteran and served with the Michigan State Police for five years. He was survived by his wife and 7-month-old son.