Recently Deceased Community Members - September 2018

Fallen Chaldean officer deemed an American hero

By Vanessa Denha Garmo
 

Less than two years after joining the Detroit Police Department and weeks after he was married, Detroit Officer Fadi Shukur died following a hit and run incident while on duty.

Family and friends gathered to mourn his loss and celebrate his life at St. George Chaldean Catholic Church last month. Fr. Matthew Zetouna presided over his funeral service.

More than 1,600 mourners packed into St. George Chaldean Catholic Church for a requiem mass.
Men and women from not only the eighth precinct -where he was as- signed — attended but officers from various precincts paid their respects.

“He was an American hero who served with distinction,” said Police Chief James Craig.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan directed special comments to Shukur’s widow, Nadeen Maroof Shukur; they married on June 29.

“He would say ‘I’m a lucky man, I got to marry my best friend,’” Duggan said. “His
other partners would try to get him to stop somewhere for lunch during their shift and he always said ‘no’ because you packed him a lunch, which was back in the refrigerator at
the precinct.”

“The Great Eight” Precinct, where he was known for a contagious smile that “would light up a room,” said Duggan.

Duggan said Shukur’s gentle side didn’t go unnoticed. He and another officer helped a woman who was distraught because her daughter hadn’t returned home, leaving her to care for a grandchild without a change of clothing or diapers.

The officers went to a Meijer, picked up two baby outfits and diapers and took them to the woman.

“The people of Detroit will never forget Fadi Shukur -- God bless you,” Duggan told Shukur’s family, seated a few feet away in the church.

The mass included traditional Scottish bagpipes provided by the Metro Detroit Pipe and Drum Corps; the St. George choir that sang “Amazing Grace” in English and prayers in Sourath (Aramaic.)

Clergy sprinkled Holy Water and incense over the casket before the family was escorted out by honor guard to a funeral procession and burial in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy.

Also, at the funeral the “end of watch” call was played. “...Officer Shukur, we thank you for your distinguished service. You will never be forgotten in your devotion to your family, friends and law enforcement community...”

Detroit Police Chief James Craig and other officers saluted the casket as it left the funeral service.

Shukur, who was born in Baghdad, Iraq, became a U.S. citizen in 2010 and served six years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Carl Vinson. When he was discharged, he went into law enforcement because he wanted to help people, his friends said.

Shukur is survived by his wife, Nadeen Maroof Shukur, father Anthony Banks, mother Anita Zia Shilmoun Banks, a brother and sister, grandparents and other family.

Gov. Rick Snyder Friday ordered U.S. and Michigan flags at all state buildings and within the state capitol complex to be lowered to half-staff in Shukur’s honor.

“Officer Shukur was a brave man who worked diligently to protect Michiganders and the city of Detroit,” the governor said in a statement. “I send my sincerest condolences to is family, friends, and the entire Detroit Police Department during this difficult time.”

On August 4 around 2:40 a.m., Detroit police were called to assist with crowd control in the area of West McNichols near Stahelin Street. Reports say Shukur was walking to his scout car when 19-year-old Jonathan David Cole hit the officer with his Jeep Liberty.

Cole sped off from the scene but later turned himself in at a Detroit Police precinct.

Cole has been charged with reckless driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident. Cole received a $150,000 cash bond and ordered to have no contact with any witness including his parents.

According to Police Chief James Craig, they expected the charges to be upgraded to murder. “A lot of pain associated with this, it’s always tough,” said Craig.

The alleged driver of the vehicle that struck Shukur, Jonathan David Cole, 19, was formally charged in court with second-degree murder. Cole also faces charges of reckless driving causing death and failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death.