Prev
Incident
Police Officer Daniel Duyst was killed after being electrocuted when he jumped into the water to rescue a swimmer. He was off duty on a family outing at Spring Lake when another man jumped off a pier into the water, which had an electric charge due to an electrical cord that had come in contact with the water. When Officer Duyst saw the man calling for help, he dove off of his boat in an attempt to rescue the man but was also electrocuted. Officer Duyst had served with the Grand Rapids Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqfe6b18w7fgcn06vc33- 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 Daniel. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Duyst gave the Grand Rapids Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Duyst.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Grand Rapids Police Department has lost 15 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Daniel is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer at Grand Rapids Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1994, 5 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Daniel was 37. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Grand Rapids Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 41; the middle age was 31. Daniel had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Daniel was 37. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Daniel had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 37. 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. Daniel had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Daniel had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 42.9% of these deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 42.9%.
May holds 10.7% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 46.7% of all 15 deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Grand Rapids Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
-
George W. Powers
Aug 22, 1895
-
Henry Slater
Sep 4, 1907
-
Millard F. Davis
Aug 25, 1916
-
Charles Irving DeYoung
Jun 7, 1920
-
George David Geng
May 18, 1921
-
Gerrit George Brandsma
Dec 7, 1921
-
Samuel Slater, Jr.
Dec 9, 1921
-
John Meiboom
Oct 10, 1925
-
Francis Marion Gallup
May 13, 1946
-
Stanley Van Tuinen
Dec 3, 1966
-
Wayne Vonk
Jan 19, 1969
-
Herman Reinhold Gloe
Dec 12, 1974
-
Joseph Floyd Taylor
Nov 17, 1986
-
Daniel Craig Duyst
May 30, 1994
-
Robert Anthony Kozminski
Jul 8, 2007
Where
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
