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William L. McCarthy
Incident
Detective Lieutenant William McCarthy was shot and killed when he and another deputy responded to a domestic disturbance call at a mobile home in Reynolds Township. Lieutenant McCarthy had just finished his shift and volunteered to respond to the call as backup because it was on his way home. When they arrived at the scene Lieutenant McCarthy built a rapport with the intoxicated male subject. When he entered the home to continue talking to the man, the subject picked up a .22 caliber rifle and opened fire, killing Lieutenant McCarthy. The other deputy returned fire, wounding the suspect in the shoulder, as he took cover behind his patrol car. The suspect then committed suicide in the home. Lieutenant McCarthy had served with the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department 13 years and had previously served with the Lakeview Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and three stepchildren.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Lieutenant McCarthy gave the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Stanton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant McCarthy.
— 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.
William is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1982, 4 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 49. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 49. 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. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.3% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-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.
