Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Policeman Augustus Emery died after being assaulted while attempting to break up a fight while the Hilliard & DeMotte Pacficic Circus was in town.
A village dance was occurring across the circus grounds when the fight broke out. Officer Emery was able to break up the initial fight, however, a citizen then assaulted one of the circus employees. A group of over a dozen circus men then attacked the crowd with clubs and other items. Policeman Emery was struck on the head, knocked down, and stomped. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Two men were arrested and convicted of second-degree murder and were sentenced to prison. One of the men was later pardoned by the governor.
Policeman Emery was survived by his wife, three daughters, and siblings.
Survivors
Policeman Emery was survived by his wife, three daughters, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MI-DF45A51E- Stewardship
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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
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Policeman Emery served with the Chesaning Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chesaning community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Policeman Augustus Henry Emery, Jr. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Augustus Henry Emery, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Augustus Henry Emery, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Augustus Henry Emery, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Augustus Henry Emery, Jr. was killed by blunt object.