Viral Post Claims 23-Year-Old Detroit Officer Died — But Police Say It Never Happened

A heartbreaking story. A young officer. A tragic drunk driving crash. A call for prayers from Lions fans.

There was just one problem — none of it was real.

According to a report from , the is warning residents about a viral Facebook post spreading completely false information about a supposed fallen officer.

Let’s break down what happened.

The “Shocking” Post That Spread Fast

The viral message claimed:

“SHOCKING: A 23-year-old Detroit police officer d.i.e.d in a drunk driving accident after volunteering to assist with preparations for Super Bowl LX. The Jeep, driven by a drunk driver, lost control, veering across multiple lanes at nearly 99 mph, claiming the life of a young, dedicated officer who always helped others. Lions fans, please pray for him.”

It had everything designed to grab attention — tragedy, speed, heroism, and even references to football. The post was also packed with NFL and hashtags to increase reach.

And just when emotions were high, readers were urged to “read the full story” via a link dropped in the comments.

Classic clickbait formula.

What Detroit Police Are Saying

The Detroit Police Department quickly stepped in to shut the rumor down.

Their response was clear and direct:

“Any information relating to this is false.”

Not only did the alleged crash not happen — the supposed 23-year-old officer has never worked for the department at all.

In other words, the entire story was fabricated.

Why Stories Like This Spread

Posts like this spread quickly for three main reasons:

1. Emotion sells. A young officer dying in service immediately pulls at the heart.
2. Community pride. Mentioning the Detroit Lions connects with local fans.
3. Urgency and curiosity. The “read more in comments” trick drives clicks.

Unfortunately, misinformation often moves faster than corrections.

A Reminder to Pause Before You Share

In today’s social media world, not everything that looks official is real. Just because a post uses dramatic wording or city-specific hashtags doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.

When you see shocking news:

• Check official sources.
• Look for confirmation from trusted outlets.
• Be cautious of posts that push you toward external links.

The Detroit Police Department acted quickly to correct the record — but it’s up to users to slow the spread.

Because in moments like this, one click can either amplify a lie or stop it.