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Incident
Sheriff Henkel was shot and killed while struggling with two drunk brothers. The sheriff had been attending a community celebration in Lakeview when the two brothers arrived and starting to create a disturbance. The sheriff told the men to leave and followed them to ensure they would not return. The brothers began to struggle with the sheriff along the way and shot him twice. The brother who shot Sheriff Henkel was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. His brother was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7 to 15 years. He was paroled in 1932 and his brother in 1949.
Survivors
Sheriff Henkel was survived by his wife, Ileea Henkel, who was appointed four days later to finish his term of office.
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.
Sheriff Henkel gave the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Stanton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Henkel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Montcalm County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Franklin is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Franklin 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 1926, 13 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Franklin was 53. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Franklin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Franklin was 53. 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. Franklin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Montcalm County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Montcalm County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Franklin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Montcalm County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
