Patrol Ofc. Clay Hoover, Sgt. Ira Parker, and Ofc. Daniel Dubiel were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant for a bad check from a rental car agency on a 68-year-old woman and her three sons at a motel at 28525 Michigan Ave. on July 10, 1994.
Dubiel and Hoover entered the room first and were asked to help one of the sons who had recently had kidney dialysis treatment. Dubiel then called Parker to bring a summons instead of arresting the individuals, and the officers waited with the suspects. When Parker entered the room, the suspects opened fire, killing all three officers instantly. The four suspects then held officers at bay during a ten-hour standoff as hundreds of rounds were fired from their room.
A national news story, the ambush and murder of the officers became a cautionary tale of the danger police officers face every day, officials said. Thousands of uniformed officers from throughout the state attended the funerals for the men and lined the streets, saluting, as the hearses carrying the men went past.
All four suspects were sentenced to three life terms in prison for their role in the murders. The mother died in prison on June 12, 2011. One of her sons died in prison in 1996.
Hoover had served with the Inkster Police Department for four months. He was survived by his parents, a brother, and fiancé.
Dubiel had served with the agency for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Parker was a United States Air Force Vietnam veteran and had served with the Inkster Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Woodmore was shot and killed after stopping a man on a bicycle who had just completed a drug transaction near Pine Street and Henry Street. The suspect pulled a 9 mm handgun and shot Woodmore five times.
In July 2000 the suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In August 2002 the suspect was found guilty a second time in a second trial for the murder. Woodmore had served with the Inkster Police Department for 5 years. He was survived by his two sons and two daughters.
The Inkster police department, officials and the community honor the officers who have given their lives in service to their community every year. The memorial service tomorrow is set for 11:30 a.m. at the Inkster Police Department, 26279 Michigan Ave. Inkster.
