Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Saturday, March 29, 1969
Michael J. Czapski
Officer Michael Czapski was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to reports of a group of men standing in front of a church with rifles at Linwood and Euclid Streets. The men opened fire on the officers as they approached, mortally wounding Officer Czapski. Officer Czapski's partner who was severely wounded radioed for help. More than 50 officers stormed the church, shot and wounded 4 suspects, and arrested 142 people.
Police later stated that their investigation was severely hampered when 12 hours later a Recorders Court Judge freed all but two suspects. Three men were eventually charged in connection with the shooting. All three were tried and acquitted a year later. On October 26, 1970, one of them was stabbed to death in Detroit.
Officer Czapski was a U.S. Army veteran.
Bio
- Age 22
- Tour 11 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 14 ReflectionsI knew him well and served with him in Germany in the 793 MP Battalion.
SP5
793 MP
July 28, 2017
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Sean McNamee Gannon
Yarmouth Police Department, MA
EOW: April 12, 2018

Patrolman Kevin F. Crossley
Whitesboro Police Department, NY
EOW: April 11, 2018

Police Officer Keith O'Neal Earle
Huntsville Police Department, AL
EOW: April 9, 2018

Corporal Dale Shannon Hallman
Saluda County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: April 6, 2018

Police Officer Phillip Lynn Meacham
Hopkinsville Police Department, KY
EOW: March 29, 2018

Trooper First Class Kevin M. Miller
Connecticut State Police, CT
EOW: March 29, 2018

Special Agent Melissa S. Morrow
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 22, 2018

Police Officer Andres Laza-Caraballo
Juncos Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: March 21, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Douglas Zirkle
Marin County Sheriff's Office, CA
EOW: March 15, 2018