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Special Deputy Marshal

Christopher Keenan

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service — Washington, DC
Accident
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch November 9, 1913
Age 55
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 28 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 312

Incident

Special Deputy Marshal Christopher Keenan, along with the six crewman, drowned when the barge Plymouth sank in Lake Michigan during a severe three-day storm.

Deputy Keenan had been placed on the barge due to ongoing legal issues involving its ownership. The barge was being towed by the tug Martin from Menominee, Michigan, to Search Bay, when the ships encountered a severe storm. The Martin's captain cut the tow line near Gull Island, in Delta County, Michigan, and the Plymouth dropped its anchor. It remained anchored for at least 40 hours, during which time Marshal Keenan wrote a dying message in a bottle, which was found 11 days later near Pentworth.

Deputy Keenan's body washed ashore near Manistee, Michigan, several days later.

On April 21st, 1984, the wreckage of the Plymouth was located in approximately 50 feet of water, 500 yards off the shore of nearby Poverty Island. The wreckage was discovered using an underwater sled designed by a Milwaukee police officer.

Deputy Keenan also served as a deputy sheriff the Menominee County Sheriff's Office and had previously served with the Menominee City Police Department. He had served in law enforcement for at least 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Marshal Keenan gave the United States Department of Justice 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Marshal Keenan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service
Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usms.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 9, 1913
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 55
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Christopher is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1913, 35 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Christopher was 55. 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. Christopher had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service has at least 120 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Special Deputy Marshal Christopher Keenan

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service · End of Watch November 9, 1913

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W

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