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Andrew Schmeltz
Incident
Conservation Officer Andrew Schmeltz was murdered while checking an illegal trap line along Carp River north of Negaunee, Michigan. When he failed to return by nightfall other officers began to search for him. During the search the officers heard a series of explosions and went to investigate. They located a large crater with one of Officer Schmeltz's legs in it and other debris scattered around. It was later determined that a local trapper had murdered Officer Schmeltz by shooting him in the head with a .22 caliber rifle and was attempting to cover up the murder with dynamite. The man was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was later released in 1981.
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.
Conservation Officer Schmeltz served with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Schmeltz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Andrew is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Andrew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Andrew 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 1936, 1 officer at Michigan Department of Natural Resources was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1936, 3 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Andrew was 45. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Michigan Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 45; the middle age was 39.
Andrew was 45. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Andrew was 45. 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.
Andrew was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources; September holds the most, 60%. Wednesdays: 60%.
October holds 7.5% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.5% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Andrew among them.
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Julius A. Salmonson
Nov 15, 1908
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Patrick Thomas Waters May 29, 1923
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Arvid Erickson
Sep 29, 1926
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Emil Skoglund
Sep 29, 1926
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Theron Adherbal Craw
Nov 5, 1928
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Elgin C. McDonough
Dec 21, 1932
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Karl S. Zimmerman
Dec 21, 1932
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Andrew Schmeltz
Oct 21, 1936
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Maurice C. Luck
Mar 16, 1938
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Carlyle B. Smith
May 11, 1943
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Thomas J. Mellon
Oct 23, 1947
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Edward Carl Starback
Aug 8, 1957
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Gerald F. Welling
Sep 10, 1972
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Vernon Scott Averill
Feb 1, 1986
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Arthur Adolph Green, III
Aug 9, 2015
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
