Wayne County Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s Corporal John Pietz and Deputies LaQuawn Milhouse & Robert Smith II
During the 2025 Police Officer of the Year Award Ceremony at POAM’s Annual Convention, Corporal John Pietz and Deputies LaQuawn Milhouse & Robert Smith of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were presented with the Police Distinguished Service Award for their pivotal role in apprehending two suspects connected to the tragic death of an 11-year-old.
Wayne County Deputies Honored for Swift Arrests in Tragic Shooting of 11-Year-Old
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of February 20, 2024, sent shockwaves through the Detroit community. A group of shooters opened fire on a home on Pennsylvania Street, firing at least 23 rounds into the residence. At the time, nine individuals were inside, including an 11-year-old girl, asleep on the couch. She was struck in the head and later succumbed to her injuries at a nearby hospital.
After Corporal Pietz identified GPS data placing the tether participant at the crime scene, the Wayne County deputies immediately sprang into action. Their investigation traced his movements to a Mobil gas station in St. Clair Shores, where they obtained surveillance footage matching the vehicle description and the physical appearance of one of the suspects.
Later that morning, the team located the suspect’s vehicle and, with the assistance of Detroit Police, executed a second house stop, taking one suspect into custody. A subsequent operation at a third residence led to the suspect’s arrest. Four suspects were charged in total, and a firearm was recovered.
Their swift, coordinated, and courageous actions were instrumental in solving a case that had devastated a community. Thanks to their efforts, critical arrests were made within hours of the shooting.
Honoring Those Who Serve
POAM proudly recognizes Corporal John Pietz, Deputies LaQuawn Milhouse & Robert Smith for their exceptional service, investigative work, and dedication to justice. Their commitment exemplifies the very best of law enforcement.