Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 16, 1945
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: 1923
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 16, 1945
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Committed
Officer Hilenski was shot and killed while he and his partner attempted to deal with a mentally disturbed person at 5731 Trenton Street. As the two officers climbed the stairs the man appeared on the top and fired a shot from a single-shot shotgun, striking Officer Hilenski in the face.
As his partner dragged him to safety, the suspect reloaded. The man then shot Officer Hilenski a second time before being shot and wounded by the partner.
The suspect was committed to a state hospital, where he died in 1966.
Officer Hilenski had served with the agency for 17 years. He was survived by his wife.