Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Fred Certain succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier while attempting to arrest to the man who had murdered Grant County Constable Frank Ury earlier in the day.
Constable Ury was attempting to serve a subpoena on a man for non-payment of rent when he was shot and killed. The subject then barricaded himself inside of his home and opened fire on responding deputies, fatally wounding Deputy Certain.
The 67-year-old retired doctor, who pleaded insanity, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on December 6, 1942.
Deputy Certain had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-4AF2AFA7- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Certain gave the Grant County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Certain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Fred Certain 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Grant County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred Certain's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Certain Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Certain is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Certain was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grant County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
