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Incident
Mounted Deputy Nichole Shuff-Balint succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when the horse she was riding fell as she responded to a medical call at the Clare County Fair.
She was getting off her horse to render aid to the citizen when the horse suddenly lost its footing and fell back. Deputy Shuff suffered a serious head injury as a result.
Deputy Shuff-Balent was kept on life support so her organs could be donated.
Deputy Shuff-Balint had served as a volunteer deputy with the Clare County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Mounted Deputy Shuff- Balint gave the Clare County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Mounted Deputy Shuff- Balint.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Clare County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Nichole is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Nichole is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nichole is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nichole was 33. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Nichole had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nichole was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Nichole had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nichole was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nichole had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.2% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 12.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clare County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Clare County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Nichole among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clare County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
