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Arvid Erickson
Incident
Conservation Officer Arvid Erickson and Conservation Officer Emil Skoglund were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for spotlighting deer seven miles north of Gwinn, Michigan. They stopped behind the man's car on the road between Gwinn and Sands. After shooting both officers, the suspect placed their bodies in the officers' vehicle and submerged them in a lake. After being arrested the suspect led authorities to the location where the bodies and vehicle were recovered. The man was convicted of murdering both officers and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison 22 years later. Officer Erickson was a WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmverywhrv3f696jfexd- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Conservation Officer Erickson served with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Arvid Erickson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Arvid is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Arvid is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Arvid is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 2 officers at Michigan Department of Natural Resources were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 13 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arvid was 30. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Michigan Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 45; the middle age was 39.
Arvid was 30. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Arvid was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Arvid was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 60% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 60%.
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Arvid among them.
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Julius A. Salmonson
Nov 15, 1908
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Patrick Thomas Waters May 29, 1923
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Arvid Erickson
Sep 29, 1926
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Emil Skoglund
Sep 29, 1926
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Theron Adherbal Craw
Nov 5, 1928
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Elgin C. McDonough
Dec 21, 1932
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Karl S. Zimmerman
Dec 21, 1932
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Andrew Schmeltz
Oct 21, 1936
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Maurice C. Luck
Mar 16, 1938
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Carlyle B. Smith
May 11, 1943
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Thomas J. Mellon
Oct 23, 1947
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Edward Carl Starback
Aug 8, 1957
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Gerald F. Welling
Sep 10, 1972
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Vernon Scott Averill
Feb 1, 1986
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Arthur Adolph Green, III
Aug 9, 2015
Where
Military Service
Arvid Erickson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Arvid Erickson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
