Roll of Honor
Benjamin Franklin Orcutt
Incident
Sheriff Benjamin Orcutt was shot and mortally wounded by two men who were attempting to free prisoners from the county jail. Sheriff Orcutt, whose home was beside the jail, awoke to a loud noise, went out, and discovered two men attempting to turn a jail window into an exit for his prisoners. As he pursued the two men into an alley, one or both opened fire, striking the sheriff in the chest. Sheriff Orcutt was able to return to his home. Physicians were sent for, but his wound was fatal. He died at his home nine days later. The two suspects were never positively identified. It was believed that they were accomplices of three prisoners who burglarized the Kalamazoo County Treasurer's Office the month before. Several suspects were questioned, but none were charged. The case was never solved. Sheriff Orcutt had served with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. He was a Lieutenant Colonel for the Union Army with the 25th Michigan Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-95CCAACA- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Benjamin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Sheriff Orcutt gave the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kalamazoo 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
Benjamin Franklin Orcutt served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Benjamin Franklin Orcutt 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 Kalamazoo 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. Benjamin Franklin Orcutt's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Franklin Orcutt Compares
Offender Outcome
Never tried
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Franklin Orcutt is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Franklin Orcutt was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
