Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elton Stover succumbed to gunshot wounds when he and his partner responded to a bank robbery call in Benton Harbor at 10:50 am. When they arrived, the suspects opened fire with a semi-automatic, striking Deputy Stover twice. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he died during surgery a week later. The suspects fled but were followed by a local couple who directed officers to their location. Two suspects were arrested and charged in connection with the robbery and murder. One suspect pled guilty to murder, was sentenced to prison, and died in 2004. The other suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on April 12, 1966. He died in prison on July 14, 2006. Deputy Stover had served with the Berrien County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MI-FF97F3AE- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stover gave the Berrien County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stover.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elton C. Stover is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elton C. Stover's cause is highlighted.
How Elton C. Stover Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elton C. Stover is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elton C. Stover was killed by rifle; semi-automatic.