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Incident
Reserve Deputy Arlyn Gort was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle while he was directing traffic at the scene of an accident. The driver that struck him was looking at the accident and claimed not to have seen the deputy.
Survivors
Deputy Gort was survived by his wife, five children, and 11 grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Reserve Deputy Gort served with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the West Olive community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Gort.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arlyn is the only officer of Ottawa County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Arlyn is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Arlyn is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arlyn 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 1989, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1989, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1989, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Arlyn was 52. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34.
Arlyn was 52. 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.
Arlyn was 52. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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