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Incident
Village Marshal John Schreckengust suffered a fatal embolism several days after being involved in a struggle with several juveniles he had arrested for disorderly conduct.
He had responded to a crash in Douglas in which a vehicle had been run off the road by another car. Another car containing five juveniles from Detroit that was believed to have caused the crash drove by the scene several times. Marshal Schreckengust arrested the five and took them back to the village police station where he became involved in a struggle.
The scuffle caused him to suffer coronary thrombosis and he was subsequently admitted to the hospital three days later. While in the hospital he suffered a fatal embolism.
Marshal Schreckengust had served as both the village marshal and township constable for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Village Marshal Schreckengust served with the Saugatuck Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Saugatuck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Schreckengust.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
John is the only officer of Saugatuck Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 24 officers lost to illness in MI, 3.4% of the 703 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 1 officer in MI was lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 9.
In 1949, 2 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 46th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1949, 9 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 52nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
John was 63. Of the 24 lost to illness in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46.8 and 61.3; the middle age was 51.5.
John was 63. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51.
John was 63. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 20.8%. Tuesdays: 20.8%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Saugatuck Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 3.4% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.2% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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