Courts, who officials praised and mourned as a real-life hero, was killed Wednesday night while at work near Joy Road and Marlowe Street, he was pronounced dead at Sinai-Grace Hospital. “We lost a hero today,” Detroit Police Chief James White said, adding that the police department and the city were “grieving.” He also denounced gun violence in the city and nationally. Courts’ name was not released by authorities, but by Thursday morning it had been circulating on social media, including a Facebook post by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and statements by others. “As the former Chief of the Detroit Police Department,” Evans wrote, “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Loren Courts, who was fatally injured in the line of duty.” Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield called Courts’ “untimely death” a tragic and “unimaginable loss,” noting that he “set out to protect and serve” and “we are humbled by his bravery and heroism.” In a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel offered her condolences, adding, “We honor and remember him as a hero and recognize the sacrifice law enforcement makes every day to protect our communities”. Courts’ widow, Kristine Courts, posted on Facebook: “I’m not writing this to say I’m terribly sorry, but because this man was so much more than a police officer,” calling her husband, “an amazing father, my best friend and the man I married.” “I can’t begin to imagine how we’re going to live without him. My babies need him. I need him. I keep thinking that I’m going to wake up from this nightmare and he’s going to come home.” Read more: Rising mortgage rates are affecting metro Detroit’s housing market 3 Michigan Lottery prizes worth $1 million sold on the same day Courts said she was “completely heartbroken” and she and her children “will never be the same. I already miss his hugs, his voice, his jokes and his smile with those eyes. Rest In Peace Dad , we will never stop loving you.” Retired Detroit Police Chief James Craig remembered Thursday when he captivated the Courts five years ago. “This is another tragedy for one of our heroes, and what I consider a member of my family,” he told the Detroit Free Press. “This happens very often, more often today than I have seen in my entire police career. “ White, who called the officer’s death tragic, said the officer had been with the department for five years and came from a long line of Detroit police officers. His father, White said, is a recently retired Detroit police officer. Mayor Mike Duggan added that there is too much violence in the city and the country and he wants to do what he can to support the officer’s family. “I just spent time with the family, who described our fallen officer as someone who had a calling for the community and did what he loved,” Dugan said. “We owe all the officers out there a debt of gratitude and tonight we have an officer and a family with a debt that can never be repaid.” White added that “the violence against police officers is just outrageous” and it was difficult to notify the officer’s family of his death, calling it “the worst day of their lives” because “Daddy’s not coming home. The husband doesn’t come home.” Free Press staff writer Emma Stein contributed to this report. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected]
