Dearborn police officer who shot a suspect takes his own life, chief calls death ‘tragic’

A 33-year-old Dearborn police officer took his life late last month, shooting himself in the head, the Wayne County Medical Examiner ruled this week. 

Christopher Hampton’s body was found on Nov. 25 near the Southfield Freeway and Michigan Avenue. A 10-year veteran of the force, the officer had been cleared of fatally shooting 35-year-old Kevin Matthews five years ago, but still faced a civil lawsuit.

Police Chief Ronald Haddad called Hampton’s death a “tragic situation.” 

Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home in Westland is overseeing arrangements. Limited capacity services were held Wednesday. The Police Officers Charity set up a memorial fund for his daughter.

Hampton was involved in a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city in which a judge ruled last year there was enough doubt about the police explanation for the shooting for the case to go to trial.