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Incident
Marshal Benjamin Carpenter was killed in an automobile accident when he attempted to stop a speeding car on Croton Road.
The officer lost control of his patrol car and went off of the roadway on a sharp curve and struck a tree head-on.
A children's playground was built in honor of and named after Marshal Carpenter in September 1963.
Marshal Carpenter had served as village marshal for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, and a foster son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Village Marshal Carpenter gave the Newaygo Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newaygo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Carpenter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Benjamin is the only officer of Newaygo Police Department remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1963, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1963, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1963, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Benjamin was 61. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 61. 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. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 61. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.2% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Newaygo Police 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 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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