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Incident
Undersheriff Rarey was shot and killed as he and five deputies searched for a suspect near Platte Lake. A woman who had gone to her cottage at the lake discovered that a man had been using it all winter. The woman contacted the sheriff's department who began searching for the man. As the deputies searched other nearby cottages Undersheriff Rarey confronted the man. The suspect shot him in the neck and then fled across the frozen lake. The 36-year-old suspect, who was on parole from the state prison, was arrested three days later and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied a new trial in 1949. He had a parole hearing in 1963 but the outcome is unknown.
Survivors
Undersheriff Rarey was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Rarey served with the Benzie County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Beulah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Rarey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Benzie County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 14 officers in MI were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 58. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Edward was 58. 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.
Edward was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Benzie County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Benzie County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Benzie County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
