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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Martindale was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglar at a pool hall he operated in Coleman.
He had been alerted at about 3:30 am that a nearby garage had been burglarized. While he was investigating the burglary, he discovered that several other local businesses, a schoolhouse, and his restaurant and pool hall had been burglarized as well. He encountered a suspect in front of the pool hall at about 4:00 am and placed him under arrest. As he walked the man into the pool hall, the subject drew a pistol and shot him three times. Deputy Martindale was able to return fire and wounded the subject.
The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 8, 1962.
Deputy Martindale was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Midland County Sheriff's Office for only 18 days.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Martindale gave the Midland County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Midland community. Thank you 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
Earl C. Martindale served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Earl is the only officer of Midland County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Earl is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl 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 1935, 6 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 40. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Earl was 40. 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. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Midland County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where
Military Service
Earl C. Martindale served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl C. Martindale’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 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Midland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.