Willie Allan Thomas

How they died

Deadly force

Police said they got several calls just before 7:45 a.m. reporting a reckless driver near a school. Inkster police chased the Jeep Liberty, driven by Willie Allan Thomas, but abandoned the pursuit after he left town. Soon afterward, Thomas reportedly nearly struck students near a Dearborn Heights high school. Sgt. Alfred Nason and officer Nicholas Szopko, in separate cars, followed Thomas east along Van Born Road. After about two miles, police said the officers realized Thomas was headed for the Southfield Freeway and decided to box the Jeep in between their cars on the entrance ramp. Szopko overtook the Jeep, as Nason positioned his car directly behind it. Szopko got out and approached Thomas, who allegedly reversed and hit Nason's car, then drove at Szopko. Szopko fired four shots through the Jeep's windshield. Two shots hit Williams, whose foot jammed down on the gas pedal, sending the Jeep down the embankment, across three traffic lanes and into the center wall. According to police, Williams had been in court the week before for allegedly trying to run over an officer in a neighboring city.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Willie Allan Thomas, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources