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Benjamin Franklin Orcutt
Incident
Sheriff Benjamin Orcutt was shot and mortally wounded by two men who were attempting to free prisoners from the county jail. Sheriff Orcutt, whose home was beside the jail, awoke to a loud noise, went out, and discovered two men attempting to turn a jail window into an exit for his prisoners. As he pursued the two men into an alley, one or both opened fire, striking the sheriff in the chest. Sheriff Orcutt was able to return to his home. Physicians were sent for, but his wound was fatal. He died at his home nine days later. The two suspects were never positively identified. It was believed that they were accomplices of three prisoners who burglarized the Kalamazoo County Treasurer's Office the month before. Several suspects were questioned, but none were charged. The case was never solved. Sheriff Orcutt had served with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. He was a Lieutenant Colonel for the Union Army with the 25th Michigan Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sheriff Orcutt gave the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kalamazoo 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
Benjamin Franklin Orcutt served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1867, 1 officer in MI was killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1867, 24 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 159th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1867, 29 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 159th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 53. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Benjamin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Benjamin was 53. 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. Benjamin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
Where
Military Service
Benjamin Franklin Orcutt served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Benjamin Franklin Orcutt’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 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
