Roll of Honor
Incident
Undersheriff Harland Wood was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on a warrant for writing a $2.00 bad check. The man was visiting his wife at an apartment at 9 North Street, in Hillsdale, when Undersheriff Wood attempted to arrest him. The man's wife and brother were arrested after the man fled the area following the shooting. The 31-year-old ex-convict was apprehended January 9, 1932, near Park Falls, Wisconsin. He was extradited to Michigan, convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on February 16, 1959. Undersheriff Wood was a veteran of WWI and had served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, sister and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-0BB776C6- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Undersheriff Wood gave the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsdale community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Harland O. Wood served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Undersheriff Harland O. Wood 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%.
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. Harland O. Wood's cause is highlighted.
How Harland O. Wood Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1959
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harland O. Wood is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harland O. Wood was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
