© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Memorial service held for anti-abortion activist

By Gretchen Millich, WKAR News

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-860878.mp3

OWOSSO, MI – A memorial service was held Wednesday in Owosso for anti-abortion activist James Pouillon. Pouillon was shot to death last Friday across the street from Owosso High School.

About 300 friends, family and fellow anti-abortion activists gathered at a football field in Owosso to pay their final respects to Pouillon. Pouillon was a Vietnam vet, a retired auto worker, and, for at least the past 20 years, an anti-abortion activist. Police say it was the signs that he carried, showing graphic images of aborted fetuses, that angered his killer.

Pouillon's friend Dan Brewer came to pay his respects. "Jim was the most known man in Shiawasee County and probably amongst the most hated because of the ugliness of the pictures that he held. I wouldn't necessarily say it was political, but it was definitely because he was unliked because of what he did," Brewer says.

33-year old Harlan Drake has been charged with first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Pouillon and another man, Mike Fuoss, who was killed at his gravel company near Owosso.

Together we’ve already reduced WKAR’s $1.6 million budget gap created by the loss of federal funding. With your sustaining support we can close the remaining $500,000 gap and keep trusted public media strong for mid-Michigan. The best way to support WKAR is to become a sustainer. Already a sustainer? Please consider upgrading your current monthly gift.