In the early morning hours of May 3, 2010, Detroit Police Officer Brian Eric Huff, a 42-year-old male, responded to a call that would end his 12-year career and his life. He and his partner were the first to arrive at a duplex on Schoenherr Street on the city's east side following a 911 call reporting shots fired at what was known to be a drug house. It was approximately 3:30 a.m.
when Officer Huff and several other officers took positions around the residence.
Fearing for the safety of the less experienced officers on the scene, Officer Huff took the lead. After announcing 'police,' he kicked in the front door and was immediately met with a barrage of gunfire from a suspect lying in wait. Officer Huff was struck twice in the head and fatally wounded without ever having the chance to draw his own weapon. In the ensuing chaos, four other officers were also wounded by gunfire as the suspect attempted to flee.
The gunman, identified as Jason Alexander Gibson, was wounded by return fire from the other officers and taken into custody at the scene. A. 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, the weapon used to kill Officer Huff, was recovered, along with a pound of marijuana. Gibson, who had a prior criminal record and outstanding warrants, was charged with a total of 17 counts, including first-degree murder and murder of a peace officer.
In March 2011, after an 18-day trial where evidence including DNA and ballistics tied him to the crime, a jury found Jason Gibson guilty on all charges. On May 5, 2011, almost a year to the day after the shooting, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Officer Huff was survived by his wife and their 10-year-old son.
