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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Fred Certain succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier while attempting to arrest to the man who had murdered Grant County Constable Frank Ury earlier in the day.
Constable Ury was attempting to serve a subpoena on a man for non-payment of rent when he was shot and killed. The subject then barricaded himself inside of his home and opened fire on responding deputies, fatally wounding Deputy Certain.
The 67-year-old retired doctor, who pleaded insanity, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on December 6, 1942.
Deputy Certain had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Certain gave the Grant County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Certain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grant County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Fred is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1928, 8 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 38. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Fred was 38. 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. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Grant County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Grant County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grant County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
