ThinBlueNews remembers Police Officer Loren Courts of the Detroit Police Department on the fourth anniversary of his End of Watch, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.
Officer Courts was shot and killed while responding to a shooting call near the intersection of Joy Road and Marlowe Street on Detroit’s west side around 7:30 p.m. on July 6, 2022. He was 40 years old and had served with the department for five years.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Officer Courts and his partner arrived at the scene and the suspect immediately opened fire, striking Officer Courts while he was still in his patrol car. Even after being shot, Officer Courts maneuvered the car in reverse and he and his partner took cover. His partner attempted to save him by applying pressure to his wound while positioned between him and the approaching gunman. Other officers who arrived on scene fatally shot the suspect. ODMP notes that the man who sold the firearm to the shooter was later charged with illegally purchasing a weapon.
Officer Courts was transported to Sinai Grace Hospital, where he died a short time later from his wounds.
ClickOnDetroit / WDIV reported that Officer Courts had worked much of his adult life at Costco before joining the Detroit Police Department, following a calling to police work that his father understood well. His father, Larry Courts, served 32 years as a Detroit police officer and rushed to the hospital when he learned his son had been shot. “A decent fella, simply loved his family, his mom — they had such a special relationship. Very professional, just a good guy,” Larry Courts said.
Officer Courts is survived by his wife, Kristine, their 15-year-old son, their 9-year-old daughter, his parents, and extended family. His partner’s heroism under fire was also praised by department leadership after the incident.
Officer Courts’ End of Watch is a solemn reminder that every call for service carries unknown danger, and that a five-year veteran who followed his father into police work gave everything in a moment of courage. His memory is carried forward by his family, his department, and a community that still mourns his loss.
Support the organization preserving official memorial records
ThinBlueNews creates original remembrance pages to honor law-enforcement sacrifice. ODMP is the nonprofit maintaining the national officer memorial record and providing support resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and attribution
- ODMP memorial page: Police Officer Loren Michael Courts
- WDIV / ClickOnDetroit: Fallen Detroit officer followed his father into police work
- CBS Detroit: Detroit police chief speaks on fatal shooting of Officer Courts
- ODMP donation page
Featured memorial image: ODMP profile photo of Police Officer Loren Courts with ThinBlueNews memorial overlay and source attribution. ThinBlueNews does not claim ownership of the ODMP source portrait.
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