Sandy MaloneDetroit, MI – The body of a retired Detroit police officer who was reported missing after his car and weapons were used in a shooting was found on the city’s west side in Stoepel Park last week.
Retired Detroit Police Officer Stephon Hodo was reported missing on June 30 after police arrested a suspect in a shooting that occurred in his neighborhood, WWJ reported.
Police said Hodo’s vehicle and weapons belonging to the retired police officer were used in the shooting of a 40-year-old man and recovered when the suspect apprehended.
The suspect was Hodo’s neighbor, according to WJBK reported.
“The suspect we took into custody is a neighbor with our retired police officer, so we have that car with our suspect, and we are still looking for our former officer,” Detroit Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald told reporters.
Hodo served the Detroit Police Department from 2005 to 2013.
Surveillance footage from the home where the shooting occurred on Ferguson Road showed the suspect wielding a firearm and jumping around the yard of a home, WJBK reported.
Asst. Chief Fitzgerald said the suspect was “terrorizing” the neighborhood.
The suspect was taken into custody late on June 30, WJBK reported.
The police launched a search for Hodo, WWJ reported.
Crime Stoppers of Michigan offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the retired officer’s whereabouts.
The remains of a decomposing body were found in Stoepel Park at Outer Drive and Auburn Street on July 14, WJBK reported.
The park is located just blocks from Hodo’s home.
Detroit Police Chief James White said the remains appeared to belong to the missing retired police officer, WDIV reported.
“We’re gonna let the medical examiner do their evaluation and see if we can identify the body that we found,” Chief White told reporters. “Sadly, a lot of things are pointing to that may in fact be our retired police officer.”
“Very tragic week for the Detroit Police Department, keep us in your prayers,” the police chief added.
Holly Matkin
