Prev
Incident
Sheriff Joseph Murray drowned in Saginaw Bay after falling overboard from a boat.
He and a deputy were investigating complaints of illegal fishing nets in the bay when he fell overboard. He was wearing heavy wading and a raincoat and did not resurface after falling into the water. His body was recovered 12 days later.
Sheriff Murray had served with the Huron County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-HQ0F-1YXW-8earlier record number BO-US-MI-3B52E4CD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Murray gave the Huron County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bad Axe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Murray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Huron County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 6 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 41. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Huron County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Huron County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Huron County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
