unheralded hero
officer michael tralka
Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Detroit Police Department
Rank: Police Officer
Badge: 4424
Served: 9 years
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Fifth Precinct
Location of Incident (Present Day): 262 Philip Street, Detroit, Michigan
Cause of Death: Heart Attack - Physical related incident
Age at Time of Death: 30
Timeline
Date of Birth: 3 March 1951
Date of Appointment:1972
Date of Incident: 14 April 1981
End of Watch: 14 April 1981
Date of Interment:Unknown
Unheralded Hero Investigation Began:6 November 2019
Accepted By Agency: 12 December 2019
Approved By National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial:29 January 2020
Interment Details
Cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery - Detroit, Michigan
Grave Location:Section B, Lot 1446, Space 1
Interment Disposition: Burial
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Memorial Details
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel 61 East Line 31
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Memorial at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum:Not Listed
Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial:Not Listed
Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial:Stone: 2 Row: 33
Wayne County First Responders Memorial:Listed
Detroit Police Department Memorial: Listed
Incident & Biographic Details
Police Officer Michael Tralka suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a subject at 262 Philip Street.
He and his partner had responded to the home to investigate a domestic disturbance. The caller stated her brother was at the home and refused to leave. The man became belligerent and refused to leave. A struggle ensued during which Officer Tralka fell unconscious.
The other officers on the scene transported him to a local hospital in a patrol car. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Officer Tralka had served with the Detroit Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the Fifth Precinct. He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.