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Incident
Dispatcher Michael Sweeney, Deputy Sheriff Bruce Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, and Sergeant Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department were killed when the plane they were riding in crashed into Lake Erie. The officers were traveling to assist a police chief on a neighboring island who was suffering a heart attack. All four occupants of the plane were killed in the accident. Dispatcher Sweeney had served with the Put-in-Bay Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
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
You barely got started.
Dispatcher Sweeney gave the Put-in-Bay Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Put-In-Bay community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispatcher Sweeney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Michael is the only officer of Put-in-Bay Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1983, 5 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 34th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 22. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 22. 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. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 22. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 16.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Put-in-Bay Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Put-in-Bay Police Department are honored on badge.nw.