Lieutenant Johnnie C. Shoates

Lieutenant Johnnie C. Shoates | Detroit Police Department, Michigan
Detroit Police Department, Michigan
Lieutenant Johnnie C. Shoates

Detroit Police Department, Michigan

End of Watch Sunday, December 7, 1986

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Johnnie C. Shoates

Lieutenant Johnnie Shoates succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 10 years earlier when he was shot during a robbery.

He was off duty, waiting in line at a fast food restaurant, when a man entered the Church's Chicken at 12701 Joy Road around 12:50 a.m. and announced a robbery. Lieutenant Shoates identified himself and ordered the man to drop his gun. The man turned and opened fire, striking Lieutenant Shoates in the head. Lieutenant Shoates remained in a coma from the time of the shooting until his death 10 years later.

The subject was arrested and charged with assault with the intent to commit murder. He was sentenced to 20-30 years and paroled in 1985.

Lieutenant Shoates had been injured in 1974 during a narcotics raid.

Lieutenant Shoates had served with the Detroit Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and three children. (His wife gave birth to a daughter 11 days after he was shot).

Bio

  • Age 36
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Saturday, October 16, 1976
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Paroled

off duty, robbery

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O God of Peace, so many of America’s Peace Officers who are on the front lines to protect us never make it back home to their families. We pray for these fallen law enforcement officers, Lord God, who gave their lives for us. We pray for the families of these heroes, who have to now endure life without their loved one. Lord God, society tries to move forward, but there is always bloodshed occurring. We approach Your throne of glory and grace to beg of You for peace. Lord God, bring peace to this land – the United States of America. We plead for Your divine intervention to quiet our hearts and unify our communities. Stop the violence that occurs amid our cities. We thank You for all America’s Peace Officers who have died protecting us, and ask that You send an everlasting peace so that America’s Peace Officers on the streets may be safe and return home to their loved ones at the end of their assigned shifts. In Christ Jesus, Your blessed Son, I pray. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, NCCA, FCPO-USA
Ordained Christian Global Outreach Minister No. 36526
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 23, 2023

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