Elvin D. Potts

How they died

Deadly force

Blackman Township officer Darin McIntosh responded around 12:20 a.m. after Elvin D. Potts' wife reported he'd threatened her over the phone and then pounded on her apartment door. Police said Potts left before McIntosh arrived, but called several times while he was there. According to police, McIntosh answered one call, telling Potts they needed to talk, and Potts said to come to his home. McIntosh did so. Jackson officer James Bonneau, called to assist, arrived a few minutes later, as McIntosh was trying to handcuff Potts, police said. Potts reportedly charged at them and the three men wrestled in the living room. McIntosh had one cuff on Potts' right wrist when Potts allegedly reached into the sofa, pulled out .357-caliber magnum revolver with his left hand and fired four shots. One round hit McIntosh in the thigh. Another hit Bonneau, who died from his wound. McIntosh then shot Potts twice in the back of the head, killing him, police said. The total time elapsed from when Bonneau entered the house to the final shot was about 28 seconds, according to reports.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Elvin D. Potts, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources