Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Charles Forward was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had stolen a .45 caliber revolver that was considered a war trophy from the American Legion Fair. Deputy Forward, who was unarmed at the time, located the suspect near Caledonia. When he told the man he was under arrest the man the revolver and shot him. The subject fled to a nearby woods where he was taken into custody by a posse of American Legion members after attempting to commit suicide.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-4D7DDD22- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Forward served with the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Forward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Forward 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 Kent County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles H. Forward's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Forward Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Forward is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Forward was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
