In the quiet community of Rogers City, Michigan, a dedicated public servant's life was tragically cut short on October 29, 1979. Sheriff Duane A. Badder, a 47-year-old White/Caucasian male, responded to what would be his final call. A man known to law enforcement had fired shots at his neighbor's home, creating a volatile and dangerous situation. Sheriff Badder, a ten-year veteran of the Presque Isle County Sheriff's Department, arrived on the scene with the intention of peacefully resolving
the conflict.
With courage and a commitment to his duty, Sheriff Badder attempted to de-escalate the situation by talking to the armed man, trying to persuade him to drop his weapon. Despite the sheriff's efforts to bring a calm resolution to the tense standoff, the suspect suddenly opened fire. Sheriff Badder was fatally wounded in the unexpected barrage of gunfire, his life taken in an instant while in the line of duty.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, a deputy who had also responded to the scene took decisive action to neutralize the threat. The deputy returned fire, killing the suspect and preventing any further harm to the community. Subsequent investigations into the incident determined that the deputy's actions were justified as self-defense and in the defense of others present at the scene. The man who shot Sheriff Badder was the sole suspect and was killed at the scene, leaving no arrests to be made in the case. Sheriff Badder was survived by his wife and five children, and his ultimate sacrifice remains a solemn and respected part of the community's history.
