Incident
Undersheriff William Scudder was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had assaulted a deputy the previous day.
The man shot Undersheriff Scudder in the chest during the arrest. The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Undersheriff Scudder had served two years with the Barry County Sheriff's Office and previously served as the Sergeant-at-Arms for two sessions of the Michigan Senate.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq3hs3v3h9qc59451br0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Undersheriff Scudder gave the Barry County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hastings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Barry County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
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 1884, 1 officer in MI was killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 39. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 39. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Barry County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Barry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.