This Cop Was So Deadly, They Called Him “Mr. STRESS”

Black History Year

PushBlack

History, Society & Culture

4.3 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 August 2025

⏱️ 4 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This Detroit cop’s reign could have ended after he brutally beat a Black woman who filed a complaint. But his power only grew. And as he committed homicide after homicide in this deadly unit, he gained this nickname: Mr. STRESS. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey Harry.
0:00.7	Hello mate.
0:01.5	Got any tips for the football?
0:02.8	Your best bet is to head over to Bet Victor.
0:04.9	They're giving new customers a terrific welcome offer. If you bet a minimum of £10, they'll give you £30 in three bets. Oh, that's a steel of a deal. It's a good darn deal that'll make your squirrel for real. Neil? My name's not Neil. I know, bet it rhymes. Listen to Harry and make your best bet on the football at Betvictor.
0:03.8	18 plus opt in best bet on the football at BetVictor.
0:23.3	18 plus opt in and bet on any football marketing at odds of evens or greater no, cash out
0:27.0	seven-day expiry terms and conditions apply, gamblerware.org.
0:30.1	This Detroit cop's reign could have ended after he brutally beat a black woman who filed a complaint.
0:36.8	But his power only grew, and as he committed homicide after homicide in this deadly unit,
0:42.6	he gained his nickname, Mr. Stress.
0:46.8	I'm Len from Push Black, and this is Two-Minute Black History,
0:50.9	what you didn't learn in school.
1:00.0	Thank you. What You Didn't Learn in School. In 1971, the Stop the Robberies Enjoy Safe Streets, A.K.A. Stress Unit began terrorizing Detroit.
1:10.4	Police officer Raymond Peterson became admired and feared as Mr. Stress.
1:17.7	Because within just a couple of years, he shot and killed nine people.
1:24.1	Stress frequently used decoys.
1:27.4	Peterson would disguise himself to look like an easy mark for pickpockets so he couldn't trap them.
1:33.4	One night, he followed a sex worker into an apartment and then shot one of two gay men he saw in bed together.
1:41.8	This was the first of many stress killings. In the 1973, this case changed
1:48.1	everything. After a sleepy 23-year-old Robert Hoyt accidentally rear-ended him, Peterson shot
1:55.8	him dead. Then he planted a knife at the scene. He failed dismally.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 20 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from PushBlack, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of PushBlack and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.