candgnews.com AUGUST 20, 2025 Vol. 45, No. 17
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0341-2534
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Warren, Sterling Heights seek defense advisor for Arsenal Alliance BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — Several months after the mayors of the two largest cities in Macomb County signed an agreement aimed at bolstering the defense industry’s ties to the region, they have collaboratively launched a national search to
fill a key leadership position. The two cities are working together to conduct a search for a defense industry economic development advisor to drive the work of the Arsenal Alliance, a regional initiative aimed at growing the defense industry in southeast Michigan. The advisor will be tasked with leading stakeholder en-
gagement across business, government and military sectors; developing a strategic plan aligned with emerging defense priorities; identifying and pursuing state, federal and private investment opportunities; and amplifying the region’s presence in national policy and procurement conversations. An Aug. 11 press release states the role is “a first-of-itsSee ADVISOR on page 28A
Officer in fatal police-involved crash will stand trial IMPROPER TURN CALLED INTO QUESTION BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
WARREN — A former Warren police officer who was behind the wheel during a high-speed crash that killed two occupants of another vehicle in late 2024 will stand trial. James Burke was driving a Warren police SUV, allegedly without emergency lights and sirens at speeds of more than 110 mph, on Schoenherr Road in Warren at around 5 a.m. Sept. 30, 2024, when he hit a white Dodge Durango that was attempting to turn left from Schoenherr onto Prospect Avenue. The passengers of the Durango, Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, and DeJuan Pettis, 33, were both killed. Burke and the officer he was with sustained serious injuries. Burke is facing two counts of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, a 15-year felony; one count of moving violation causing serious impairment of a body function, a 93-day misdemeanor and willful neglect of duty by a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor.
Photos by Brian Wells
ABOVE: Relatives of Cedric Hayden Jr. and DeJuan Pettis, who were both killed when former Warren police officer James Burke hit the vehicle they were traveling in, comfort each other as the judge delivers his ruling at the conclusion of Burke’s exam hearing on Aug. 15. LEFT: Cedric Hayden, father of Cedric Hayden Jr., is surrounded by relatives and members of the media as he delivers remarks following James Burke’s exam hearing.
See BURKE on page 29A
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