Policeman Martin Draft

Martin Draft

Policeman Martin Draft was killed in a vehicle crash while returning to the station to retrieve a patrol wagon and notify other officers he needed assistance.

Earlier in his shift, he had arrested two men who had attempted to flee from him and crashed into a business at the intersection of W Jefferson Avenue and Henry Street. The vehicle was transporting illegal whiskey and the collision caused over 75 gallons of the liquor to spill onto the roadway. He had taken the men to the station and returned to duty.

Approximately 15 minutes later he attempted to stop another vehicle that also fled from him. After the fleeing vehicle crashed into another car at the River Rouge bridge, Policeman Draft turned around to rush back to the station to retrieve the patrol wagon and request assistance. He lost control of his motorcycle as he drove through the pooled-up whiskey on the roadway from the previous crash. The motorcycle struck a utility pole and he suffered fatal injuries.

Policeman Draft was survived by his wife and two young children.