On a cold February day in Milan, Michigan, the life of a dedicated police officer was tragically cut short in a sudden and violent ambush. Steven Joseph Reuther, a 32-year-old male officer with the Milan Police Department, was gunned down on February 4, 1991, as he arrived for his shift at the police station located at 35 Neckel Court. He had served on the force for 11 years, and was a husband and father to two daughters.
The perpetrator had laid in wait for approximately 45 minutes
outside the police station. As Officer Reuther pulled into the parking lot, the suspect drove in behind him, parking several spaces away. When Reuther began walking towards the station entrance, the assailant opened fire with an AK-47 rifle. Officer Reuther was struck in the back of the head and was killed instantly. The gunman initially fled the scene, but in a surprising turn of events, returned just eight minutes later and surrendered to the chief of police.
The man responsible for Officer Reuther's death was subsequently arrested and stood trial. However, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Following the verdict, he was committed to a state mental hospital. The community of Milan mourned the loss of a dedicated public servant. To honor his sacrifice, the city of Milan passed a resolution in 2016, 25 years after his death, to memorialize his dedication. Additionally, his badge number, 8, was permanently retired from the Milan Police Department.
