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.