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Incident
Patrolman DeFord suffered a fatal stroke while working a traffic accident in inclement weather. He died eight hours after collapsing. Patrolman DeFord had served with the Lincoln Township Police Department for 15 years and was survived by his wife and three children
Survivors
Patrolman DeFord had served with the Lincoln Township Police Department for 15 years and was survived by his wife and three children
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Donald is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman DeFord gave the Lincoln Township Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stevensville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman DeFord.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald V. DeFord served in the U.S. Army (1950â1952) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Donald is the only officer of Lincoln Township. Police Department remembered here.
Donald is one of 24 officers lost to illness in MI, 3.4% of the 703 remembered there.
Donald is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald 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 1988, 1 officer in MI was lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 9.
In 1988, 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 1988, 5 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 115th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Donald was 68. 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. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 25 years.
Donald was 68. 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. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Donald was 68. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
March holds 20.8% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 20.8%. Mondays: 20.8%.
March holds 5.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
March holds 6.2% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lincoln Township. Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 3.4% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Military Service
Donald V. DeFord served in the U.S. Army (1950–1952) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald V. DeFord’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 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lincoln Township. Police Department are honored on badge.nw.