Wayne State Police Officer Collin Rose Dies After He Was Shot In Detroit

Updated. DETROIT, MI — Wayne State University police Officer Collin Rose, 29, died Wednesday after he was shot in the head Tuesday responding to a call a few blocks away from the WSU at an apartment building off Martin Luther King Boulevard. Rose’s fiancee and family were at his side.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson shared the news of Rose's death in a campus-wide message at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“I am saddened to report that a short time ago, Wayne State University officer Collin Rose died from the gunshot wound he suffered while working in the line of duty yesterday evening,” he said. “This is a tragedy felt by all of us — Collin and his family and friends, his fiancée, and our campus and community. Please keep Collin and his fiancée and family in your thoughts and prayers. Collin served Wayne State with distinction, and we owe those he left behind our deepest sympathies and our strong support.

“Please keep all our police officers in your thoughts as well. Collin is the first and only Wayne State officer ever to fall in the line of duty. Our officers mourn with us, but these dedicated, professional men and women continue to serve us courageously, every day. We can honor Collin’s memory best with our ongoing gratitude and support for all of our officers.”

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Rose served WSU and the city of Detroit with honor and distinction.

"Officer Rose was doing his job, serving his community and protecting all of us, when he was tragically gunned down," Schuette said. "Officer Rose was too young to have his life taken, and he leaves behind a family that will never be the same. Cynthia and I will be praying for the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Rose in this most difficult time."

Our earlier story: Wayne State Police Chief Tony Holt said at a Wednesday morning news conference. Officers from Metro Detroit police departments were at the hospital, too, offering support to the wounded officer who has been a leader in organizing memorials for officers who have lost their lives in the area.

“This is a difficult day for me,” Holt said. “In my 40-plus years at Wayne State, I never thought I’d have a day like this.

“It looks very grave,” Holt said. “Our prayers are with him.”

The suspect, Deangelo Lamarr Davis, 31, was picked around 10 p.m. after an intense, three-hour manhunt Tuesday night. He wasn’t arrested in the shooting, but on several outstanding warrants, Holt said.

Initial reports said Rose was responding to a 911 call when he was shot, and the manager of the apartment building where Davis allegedly refused to leave said a 911 call had been placed, according to media reports.

Police on Tuesday described the attack as an “ambush,” but said there was no evidence he had been targeted. It wasn’t his first run-in with police, the Detroit Free Press reported. In 2011, he was charged with two counts of felony assault on a police officer, including one that caused injury. There was another confrontation with police in 2014, but Holt said he didn’t have details.

“I can’t sugarcoat this, it is a tragedy of immense proportions,” WSU President M. Roy Wilson said at Wednesday’s news conference.

Gov. Rick Snyder issued a statement, praising Rose for his public service.

“When people dial 911, it's because they are afraid and in need of assistance. Officer Rose is one of those brave individuals who will answer that call without hesitation. We should all be thankful that such dedication exists throughout Michigan's law enforcement agencies. Our police officers need our support and appreciation. This recent wave of violence against those sworn to protect and serve must end. Let's hope Officer Rose can make a full recovery and let's never forget the sacrifice he has made in service to his state."

Detroit Police James Craig said Tuesday that Rose is “well-respected,” and said the shooting is “a threat on all of us.”

“This must end,” he said of threats against police officers across the country. “It must end now.”
Two Detroit police officers have been killed in the line of duty in recent months — Sgt. Kenneth Steil, who died Sept. 17 after being struck around his bullet-proof vest Sept. 12 by a suspect wielding a sawed-off shotgun, and Officer, Myron Jarrett, 40, who was assisting a traffic accident investigation, was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash Oct. 28.

Rose has been with the 65-member Wayne State police force for five years and is currently its K-9 officer, partnering with both a bomb-detection dog and a narcotics dog. Both were in his vehicle when he was shot.

He is a 2010 graduate of Ferris State University and is one credit short of completing his master’s degree in police administration at Wayne State.

Holt and Rose’s colleagues describe him as well liked.

“He does a lot of community service,” Holt said. “He works with kids. ... He’s a very proactive officer and wants the community to be safe.”

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