Andrew Schmeltz

Michigan Department of Natural Resources — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch October 21, 1936

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 72 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Conservation Officer Andrew Schmeltz was murdered while checking an illegal trap line along Carp River north of Negaunee, Michigan. When he failed to return by nightfall other officers began to search for him. During the search the officers heard a series of explosions and went to investigate. They located a large crater with one of Officer Schmeltz's legs in it and other debris scattered around. It was later determined that a local trapper had murdered Officer Schmeltz by shooting him in the head with a .22 caliber rifle and was attempting to cover up the murder with dynamite. The man was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was later released in 1981.

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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.
Conservation Officer Schmeltz served with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Schmeltz.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity mdnrcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 21, 1936

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber

Offender Released in 1981

Conservation Officer Andrew Schmeltz 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 Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 5 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

of 15 officers

33.3% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious