By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Four Melvindale police officers are being awarded for their roles in apprehending a murder suspect in April.
Melvindale Safety Commission recently approved a Certificate of Merit for Sgt. John Allen and letters of commendation for Cpl. Nicholas Cellini, and officers Nicholas Martinez and Chad Detrich.
The awards stem from the arrest of Shannon Maurice Henderson April 24, after Henderson, 34, allegedly shot and killed Adrian Deshaun Bell, 32, in a parking lot near White Castle, 2115 Fort St. in Lincoln Park just after midnight that day.
Later, at about 9 p.m. that day, Allen was in Oakwood Gym, 17767 Dix, after a 12-hour shift. He saw Henderson, who he knew was wanted out of Lincoln Park for the murder. He checked the gym log, verified his name and called the police station while keeping Henderson under surveillance.
On-duty officers Cellini, Martinez and Detrich were then sent to the gym and arrested Henderson without incident. He was arraigned June 14 in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County on First Degree Murder charges.
Police Chief Rick Cadez said Allen was commended for his alertness while he was off duty and the other officers involved were recognized for their teamwork.
“He was thinking as a police officer when he was in there working out,” Cadez said. “The other gentleman who arrived after that, everything was peacefully done. Everything was kept calm. Everything worked out well. There’s always some concern when you’re dealing with a homicide suspect.”
He said the arrest was one example of the high caliber of work the officers do for the department and city.
“Officers continue to do a fine job for the community,” Cadez said. “We have a great department.”