Mich. Court Officer Fatally Shot while Serving Eviction Notice

A Michigan court officer was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice last week.

Robert J. Silver, an officer with the St. Clair County 72nd District Court, had gone to a Clay Township home Dec. 28 to serve an eviction notice, WWJ-TV reports. At around 2 p.m., Clay Township police arrived at the scene after Silver hadn't been heard from for several hours.

When police reached the home, officers found Silver dead from a gunshot wound. A brief standoff ensued with a suspect, who was taken into custody and charged with murder.

"It's just mind-blowing that somebody would do that," said Lisa Fowler, a friend, told WJBK-TV.

Silver was a veteran and had been with the court for 35 years. His mother sister had died in a fire in Port Huron three weeks ago, and a celebration of life was the same day that Silver was killed.

"His mother and sister just passed away," said Fowler. "He was supposed to be at the funeral that day that it happened."