Incident
Night Watchman John Craig was shot and killed while arresting two robbery suspects near Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad station in Sturgis.
The suspects were in a boxcar on a siding and opened fire on him, shooting him before he could return fire. He died almost instantly. Despite posses being formed, the suspects were never caught.
Night Watchman Craig was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Night Watchman Craig was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-3C09F554- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Craig served with the Sturgis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sturgis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman John W. Craig 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. John W. Craig's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Craig Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Craig is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Craig was killed by gun; unknown type.