By Myesha Johnson
The Detroit News
MELVINDALE, Mich. — A Melvindale police officer was shot and killed Sunday morning and the search for a suspect is underway, police said.
The Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge of Michigan identified the officer as Mohamed Said, as did Dearborn’s police chief on Sunday on social media. Melvindale’s police chief declined to name the officer “out of respect for his family.”
Police named 44-year-old Michael Lopez in the incident that unfolded near a car wash, the city’s police chief said.
He has tattoos and was last seen riding a green bicycle shirtless and is considered armed and dangerous, according to the post.
“If you see this suspect or anyone closely resembling the suspect, please do not approach or confront,” police said. “Immediately call 911 and inform the police. If you have any information about this suspect, please reach out to the Melvindale Police .”
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information on the suspect’s whereabouts, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives posted on X on Sunday evening.
Said recently graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy, Melvindale police Chief Robert Kennaley said. He said the department sponsored him and “it’s the only department” that he has worked at.
“This is an officer who put his heart and soul into this job, and his community, and it’s, it’s outrageous that something like this took place,” Kennaley said.
People who described themselves as relatives or acquaintances of the officer came to the shooting scene throughout the afternoon. Some greeted officers with hugs.
Two people on the scene told The Detroit News the slain officer was a former classmate.
Yousef Said, 24, of Melvindale used to play soccer at Melvindale High School.
Yousef described Said as passionate about his job and someone who always wanted to become a police officer.
Said was “a very genuine guy,” Yousef said. “He loved doing what he does … he’s Melvindale’s all-time, top scorer for the soccer team. He loved playing the sport. He’s always been into being a cop.”
Another classmate, Saleh Almuraisi of Melvindale remembers when he and his family came to the country from Yemen.
“He came with no English and then he studied hard, proved himself and became an officer,” Almuraisi said.
Police from Melvindale, Dearborn and Michigan State Police spent hours Sunday near the scene off Schaefer and Raupp streets. Police vehicles blocked access to the streets closest to a business where WXYZ reported an officer was shot.
A helicopter flew overhead and a canine unit was deployed in the neighborhood.
The Rockwood and Gibraltar police departments posted messages on their Facebook pages about the death.
“Please keep his family and his brothers/ sisters in blue in your prayers,” Rockwood’s post said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Melvindale as one of their officers was killed in the line of duty this morning,” Gibraltar police said. “We are praying for his family and friends as the situation continues we are praying for all of you.”
The officer is the third in recent days to be killed in the line of duty.
Oakland County Deputy Bradley Reckling was shot and killed June 22 in what was described as an ambush as he followed a car stolen from Madison Heights .
Days later, Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy William Henry Butler Jr. was killed in a traffic stop in Jefferson Township , near Hillsdale .
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