The Detroit police's longest-serving member isn't slowing down after more than 50 years

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

The Detroit police's longest-serving member isn't slowing down after more than 50 years

Detroit Police Corporal continues to serve the force for over 50 years

In 1967, Officer Tilman Blair joined the Detroit Police Department. It’s now 2024 – and Corporal Blair is still serving.

DETROIT (FOX 2) – In 1967, Officer Tilman Blair joined the Detroit Police Department.

It’s now 2024 – and Corporal Blair is still serving.

FOX 2: “Who’s this handsome young guy?”

“I don’t recognize him,” he quipped.

Blair’s quick wit and sense of humor along with his commitment, have served him well.

“You’ve got to be willing to serve the public and treat them the way that you want to be treated,” he said.

But he hadn’t expected to stay with DPD – he wanted to be an X-ray technician or real estate agent.

He had sung some backup for friend Nathaniel Mayer and wrote poetry when he was drafted in 1965 and sent to Japan – which he can still recite.

“For the world is full of you and I / Who cheat, steal and even lie / To keep what we have and to part for nothing / And remember always the worst but never the best / You and I.

When he returned home from the service, he thought he’d try being a police officer for one year.

“I hadn’t looked at the police department as being a career – it was going to be a step on the job to something else later,” he said.

Now 80 years old, this great-grandfather works in traffic safety and coordinated crossing guards for the schools.

But he’s ridden everything from the early scooters to the Harley-Davidsons. He has worked special events, escorting presidents – even spending time in ‘Ident’ – that’s identifying fingerprints.

Long before there were computers, there were cards in file cabinets they had to examine one by one.

“At that time we did city prints – Detroit – state and FBI – three prints – we did prints for each one,” Blair said. “It was a job at the time and that’s what you had to do.”

“He told me he would never retire,” said Sgt. Curtis Perry.

Perry is the longest serving active sergeant – he started at DPD in 1975 – and he’s Cpl Blair’s boss.

“He starts at 6:30 (but) he’s there every morning at 6:15, and he has an impeccable memory and he’s very resourceful – very resourceful,” Perry said.

You would think at the age of 80, having served since 1967 that the corporal might be considering retirement – think again.

e told me he wasn’t going to retire – that’s what he told me – but he’s an excellent worker and very resourceful we’re glad to have him.

And we thank him for his service.

The DPD’s Tilman Blair – then and now.

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Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

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Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

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Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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