Slain Detroit sergeant may have planned to ambush special unit colleagues, sources say

DETROIT — The off-duty Detroit police sergeant who was killed Monday by two fellow officers after he opened fire with a rifle had dialed 911 moments earlier asking for his colleagues on the Special Response Team to respond because officials believe he might have wanted to ambush them, according to two police sources familiar with the investigation.

The 13-year police department veteran and longtime SRT member had issues with the leadership of his unit, which responds to emergencies such as barricaded gunmen or active shooters, the sources told The Detroit News. The sergeant had returned to duty on Oct. 3 after suffering back problems.

Detroit Police Chief James White declined Tuesday to address the sergeant's suspected motive to ambush his team members. But the chief said when the man dialed 911, he aired out a long list of grievances against the SRT unit.

"The department has had the opportunity to listen to the recording of the officer’s 911 call," White said in a statement. "While the member was clearly in mental crisis, the officer made a series of statements regarding issues he had with the Special Response Team. These included, but were not limited to, statements that he, while suffering from an injury, did not feel supported by personnel and supervision within the Special Response Team, including one now-retired commander, as well as allegations of favoritism and other policy violations."

Some of the allegations "dated back a number of years," White said. "Despite these concerns, however, the member appeared to work adamantly toward returning to his command from his recent medical leave."

The 45-year-old sergeant, a former U.S. Marine whose identity has not been released, dialed 911 at 2:26 p.m. Monday, according to dispatch audio obtained from broadcastify.com.

"Male caller stated he has a weapon and is about to kill himself," the dispatcher said. "He asked for a Special Response Team. He's going to be in the building."

Two minutes later, the dispatcher announced: "Again, this male did specifically request a negotiator and a special team, and he's threatening to shoot if anyone else comes."

When the two officers from the 11th Precinct arrived at the scene near Davidson and St. Aubin streets on Detroit's east side, the sergeant complained about how SRT's leadership and who should run the unit before opening fire, the police sources told The News.

The officers used their scout car as cover while the sergeant, who was in uniform and equipped with full tactical gear, fired a barrage of bullets at the car from a "high-powered rifle," White said. The officers, who each sustained non-life-threatening leg wounds, returned fire, killing the sergeant, the police chief said.

The off-duty officer was "asking for a suicide by cop," White told reporters Monday.

The chief said Tuesday the department is reeling from the incident.

"The more than 2,500 members of the Detroit Police Department stand in mourning over yesterday’s tragedy," White said. "Our hearts and prayers extend to the family of the officer who lost his life yesterday. At the same time, we commend the responding officers for their steadfast courage and strength of character under fire."

The incident is being investigated by Michigan State Police, as is the protocol with all fatal shootings involving Detroit police officers, White said.

"In addition, the department’s Professional Standards Bureau has been tasked with thoroughly investigating every allegation contained in the (911) recording," White said. "Separate and apart from this investigation, the department will also be conducting a top-down environmental audit of the Metropolitan Division. Comprehensive reports will follow both inquiries."

City Council members addressed the shooting during Tuesday's meeting, expressing concern for those in the police department.

“I think, at times, we take it for granted and really do not consider those who protect us each and every day and work to make our lives, our families and our city safe, and in doing so, the trauma they experience and they have to take back home to their own families,” said Fred Durhal III, the council member from District 7.

At-large City Council member Mary Waters said she stopped by the DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital following Monday's incident and spoke with one of the officers who was involved in the shooting.

“I don’t know if there were any red flags as it relates to mental health with this particular officer, but I do know that we should do a better job, perhaps," Waters said during Tuesday's meeting. "Maybe we as a city should take a look at our mental health policy. We often ask officers to go out and to defend us, but, you know, they need help, too.”

Police officers have stress and trauma in their lives, Waters said, so “we should make sure that they have the support that they need.”

Police have a 54% higher risk for suicide than the general US population, according to a 2023 study by the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.

The Detroit Police Department in 2018 created the "Peer Support Group" to help officers deal with the stresses of the job.

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