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Carl Lessley Darling Jr.
Incident
Deputy Darling was shot and killed while transporting a pedestrian he had picked up. The suspect abducted Deputy Darling and then shot him. The suspect in Deputy Darling's murder fled to Georgia where he was shot and killed by a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Deputy Darling had served with the agency for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpcxh5k583g8455k53fa- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Carl is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Darling gave the Otsego County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gaylord community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Darling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Carl Lessley Darling Jr. served in the the United States military (1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Otsego County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Carl is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Carl 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 1986, 8 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 35. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Carl had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Carl was 35. 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. Carl had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Otsego County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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
Otsego County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Carl among them.
Military Service
Carl Lessley Darling Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Carl Lessley Darling Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Otsego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
