The Grant County Sheriff's Office has been a bastion of dedicated law enforcement professionals who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community. The memory of these brave men lives on as a testament to their selflessness, courage, and unwavering commitment to upholding the law.
Through the annals of time, the names of those who gave their lives while serving the Grant County Sheriff's Office remain etched in the collective memory. Each fallen officer represents a story of sacrifice, a life tragically cut short in the pursuit of justice and public safety.
These officers, with a shared calling to protect and serve, faced danger head-on, knowing the risks but driven by a sense of duty that transcended personal concerns. Their legacy is one of heroism, of putting others before themselves, and of embodying the very essence of law enforcement.
Their stories resonate with profound loss, yet they also echo the resilient spirit of the Grant County community. These officers' lives were not defined solely by their tragic end but by the impact they had while wearing the badge. They worked tirelessly to safeguard neighborhoods, respond to emergencies, and ensure the safety of every resident.
Their dedication was matched by the depth of their bonds with colleagues, friends, and family. The loss of an officer in the line of duty reverberates far beyond the Sheriff's Office walls—it touches the lives of entire communities, serving as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who choose this noble path.
Theirs is a legacy of sacrifice, one that teaches us that the pursuit of justice often requires tremendous personal cost. As we remember these officers, we also honor their families, who carry their memory forward and bear the weight of their absence.
It is vital that we honor these fallen officers not only through remembrance but also by renewing our commitment to supporting law enforcement and cultivating safe communities. Their sacrifice is a call to action, urging us to stand alongside those who continue to wear the uniform, dedicating themselves to preserving peace and security.
The Grant County Sheriff's Office and the community it serves stand as living memorials to these fallen officers. Each day, as officers hit the streets and citizens carry on their lives, their sacrifice becomes a driving force behind the ongoing pursuit of justice, the defense of the innocent, and the preservation of the freedoms we hold dear.
Their names may be inscribed on memorials and their stories told through the generations, but their impact is felt in every safe neighborhood, every protected child, and every community united in the face of adversity. The legacy of these men is a powerful reminder that in the face of danger, they stood strong, unwavering, and willing to give everything for the sake of a safer world.
In Memory of Sheriff Robert L. Jones
End of Watch December 11, 1888
Sheriff Robert Jones succumbed to gunshot wounds he suffered two days earlier while attempting to arrest an escapee from the Grant County Jail.
The convicted horse thief had been charged with grand larceny in July 1888 and sentenced to two years. As he was waiting to be transferred to the Indiana State Prison North, he escaped on September 20 from the jail. The convict later returned to the county to court a young lady while staying with his father.
Her family, who disapproved of their relationship, informed Sheriff Jones that the convict would be at the home of the girlfriend's sister in Jerome, in Howard County, that evening. Arriving at the residence at 9:00 pm, a deputy remained at the front door as Sheriff Jones proceeded to the rear door and entered the premises.
After both females denied the suspect was there, Sheriff Jones opened a door leading to a bedroom and found him hiding there. The suspect fired two shots from a .38-caliber revolver, seriously wounding Sheriff Jones in the left arm and abdomen. Sheriff Jones, who was unarmed, began striking the suspect with his billy club until the deputy gained entry through the front door, which had been barricaded with a bed and took the suspect into custody. Sheriff Jones survived two days before he died from his wounds.
The suspect was taken to the Indiana State Prison North in Michigan City to avert being lynched by enraged citizens and later sentenced to life in prison, but escaped from confinement in April 1907.
Sheriff Jones had served in office for less than four weeks of his two-year term. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Deputy Fred Certain
End of Watch September 14, 1928
Deputy Sheriff Fred Certain succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier while attempting to arrest to the man who had murdered Grant County Constable Frank Ury earlier in the day.
Constable Ury was attempting to serve a subpoena on a man for non-payment of rent when he was shot and killed. The subject then barricaded himself inside of his home and opened fire on responding deputies, fatally wounding Deputy Certain.
The 67-year-old retired doctor, who pleaded insanity, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on December 6, 1942.
Deputy Certain had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for two years. He was survived by his wife.
Special Deputy Burke Williams
End of Watch July 17, 1945
Special Deputy Sheriff Burke Williams was accidentally shot and killed by another deputy as they attempted to arrest a burglary suspect.
The subject resisted when Deputy Williams attempted to place him in handcuffs. The second deputy drew his weapon and it accidentally discharged, striking Deputy Williams in the head.
Deputy Williams had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for seven months. He was survived by his wife and child.
Deputy Milton Starkey
End of Watch December 15, 1974
Deputy Milton Starkey was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunken driver at 3:20 am.
Deputy Starkey was responding to an emergency call when the drunken driver crossed the center line and struck his vehicle. Deputy Starkey's son, who was riding with him at the time, was seriously injured but recovered. The suspect who caused the accident was also killed.
Deputy Starkey had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for four years and had previously served with the Fairmount Police Department for six years, and the United States Army. He was survived by his wife, three sones, two daughters, one grandson and five granddaughters. His son who was riding with him had just graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy approximately 12 hours before the accident.