Incident
Keeper George Ferris was stabbed and killed while escorting prisoners from the dining hall to the tailor shop at the Michigan State Prison in Jackson.
The subject fled to his cell after attacking Keeper Ferris. He was subsequently transported to the Asylum for the Criminal Insane in Ionia.
Keeper Ferris had served with the Michigan Department of Corrections for seven years and had transferred to the Michigan State Prison in Jackson three years earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Keeper Ferris gave the Michigan Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Keeper Ferris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michigan Department of Corrections has lost 15 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer at Michigan Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 2.
In 1908, 1 officer in MI was killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 33. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Michigan Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. George had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 33. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. George had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Corrections; December holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Michigan Department of Corrections has 15 officers remembered here, George among them.
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George W. Haight
Mar 27, 1893
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George Ferris
Jun 16, 1908
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Fred Menhennett
Dec 12, 1921
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Theodore Catlin
Jan 26, 1922
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Leon M. Sammons May 7, 1928
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Fred Boucher
Nov 5, 1939
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Bernard Fancher
Apr 28, 1960
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Joe D. Crater
Mar 31, 1967
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Max M. Hinckley
Mar 31, 1967
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Earl F. DeMarse
Sep 25, 1973
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Josephine Birdene McCallum
Mar 24, 1987
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Jack L. Budd
Dec 27, 1987
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Ronald Owen MacDonald
Jul 8, 2001
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Joseph Tyrone Candie
Dec 19, 2007
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Chad Alan Charles
May 21, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.












