Patrolman Bobby Lynn Williams, Adrian Police Department, Michigan

Patrolman Bobby Lynn Williams

Adrian Police Department, Michigan

End of Watch Monday, June 30, 1975

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Bobby Lynn Williams

Patrolman Bobby Williams was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle on West Beecher Road in Adrian at 6:25 a.m.

Three men were just involved in a robbery and kidnapping of a gas station attendant, and a description of the vehicle was broadcast to local areas. Patrolman Williams spotted the vehicle matching the description and pulled over the car. The driver shot him as he approached the vehicle. Patrolman Williams was able to return fire, striking a tire. The occupants abandoned the car and were apprehended a short time later.

Patrolman Williams was transported to University Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he succumbed to his wounds.

The shooter, 31, was sentenced to life without parole. A juvenile was sentenced to 5- 50 years. The third, 18, was sentenced to life without parole. In 2024, he was resentenced after laws were changed prohibiting adolescents from receiving life without parole sentences. He was granted parole.

Patrolman Williams was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Adrian Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and son.

A part of West Beecher Street, from South Main Street to South Madison Street in Adrian, was renamed the "Patrolman Bobby Lynn Memorial Highway."

Bio

Age 28
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Life without parole

robbery, traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA