In the early morning hours of October 7, 1978, a promising career in law enforcement was tragically cut short. Norman R. Killough, a 25-year-old male Michigan State Police Trooper, was participating in a joint undercover operation in Flint, Michigan. The objective was to establish the credibility of Trooper Killough and his partner as fences for stolen goods, a crucial step in a larger investigation into property crimes in the area. The operation was a collaborative effort between the Michigan State Police and the Flint Police Department.
As part of the elaborate ruse, officers from the Flint Police Department were to conduct staged stops of the undercover troopers to create a believable criminal profile in a high-crime neighborhood. It was during the second of these staged encounters, at the intersection of North Saginaw Street and Lomita Avenue around 1:00 a.m., that the unthinkable happened. A. 38 caliber revolver held by one of the Flint police officers accidentally discharged.
The single bullet struck Trooper Killough in his right side. Despite the immediate medical attention he received at the scene and his rapid transport to a local hospital, the wound proved to be fatal. Norman R. Killough was pronounced dead upon arrival, a devastating loss to his family, colleagues, and the community he served. He had been a member of the Michigan State Police for three years and was survived by his wife and son.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a thorough investigation was conducted. The findings of the investigation confirmed the initial assessment that the shooting was a tragic accident. Consequently, Trooper Killough's death was officially ruled as an accidental shooting. As a result, no arrests were made, and no criminal charges were filed against the Flint police officer whose weapon had discharged. The incident was a somber reminder of the inherent dangers of police work, even in carefully planned operations.
