Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal William Kemp was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect at 10:40 p.m.
The Sheriff was in Reading investigating a robbery and called Night Marshal Kemp to look out for the suspect in a red vehicle traveling through Hillsdale. When Night Marshal Kemp spotted a person putting gas into a red car, he reported that he was bringing the man to the jail. About 100 feet from the county jail, the man pulled out a gun and shot Night Marshal four times. The suspect fled but was apprehended a few days later.
The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
Night Marshal had served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office for five years. He had previously served with the Jackson Police Department and as a Game Warden with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, two brothers, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-D45425BE- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Marshal Kemp gave the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Kemp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal William Clark Kemp is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Clark Kemp's cause is highlighted.
How William Clark Kemp Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Clark Kemp is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Clark Kemp was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
