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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
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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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kent County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 8 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Charles was 53. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Charles was 53. 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.
Charles was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Kent County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kent County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
