Slain Detroit police officer Loren Courts laid to rest
Family and friends of the Detroit police officer who died in the line of duty gathered at Greater Grace Temple Monday for his funeral. Loren Courts was shot and killed while answering an emergency call on July 6. His older brother, Larry Courts, Jr, says the two would talk frequently about their careers in law enforcement and the risks that come with the job. He says he will miss his conversations with Loren.
“He wasn’t just my brother. He was my best friend and we was joined at the hip from the time we was kids to now,” Courts, Jr says.
Loren Courts was 40 years old when he was killed. The Detroit police officer is survived by his wife, Kristine, and their two children.
Officer Courts was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. His funeral was attended by hundreds of officers and public figures. Mayor Mike Duggan says Courts and his fellow officers displayed courage when they were met by gunfire.
“After he was ambushed in the most cowardly way, his partner Amanda Hudgens immediately rendered aid without regard to her own safety, and when she was approached by the shooter, her fellow officers had her back,” said Duggan.
The teenager suspected of firing a semiautomatic weapon at Courts was killed by other officers at the scene. A Detroit man is facing federal charges for illegally purchasing the firearm for the 19-year-old.
Courts was remembered as a determined public servant, one who joined the Detroit Police Department as a “35-year-old rookie.” Police Chief James White says Courts was a hero and had a fitting nickname on the force.
“He was Batman to Detroiters, Batman to his partners and those who came to our great city to play, to live or just to visit,” White remarked.
White says as an officer who served on DPD’s Special Operations Unit, Courts displayed leadership in dangerous situations.
“For him to bring that calming influence is very powerful.”
Police say Loren Courts is the 231st Detroit police officer to be killed in the lined of duty since the department formed more than 150 years ago.
Photo Credit: City of Detroit, YouTube
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
