Fallen Heroes

Leo Borders

09/26/37 - 08/03/66

Deputy Leo Borders was killed in a fiery crash when his patrol vehicle veered out of control during the pursuit of four fleeing subjects. His partner, Deputy Stanley McFadden, was seriously injured.

Deputy Borders, 28, had been with the department for two years and left behind an expectant wife and a four-year-old daughter. Deputy Borders was the 1st Washtenaw County Deputy to die in the line of duty. His name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial (on panel 9, E-6) in Washington, DC.

Jerry Russo

1/22/35 - 1/14/67

Deputy Jerry Russo was killed instantly in a fiery two-car crash on his way to report for duty.

Deputy Russo, 32, had been with the department just under 2 years. He left behind a wife and son. Deputy Russo was the 2nd Washtenaw County Deputy to die while in uniform. His name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial (on panel 59, E-7) in Washington, DC.

Frank "Butch" J. Crampton

11/26/09 - 1/15/70

Deputies Crampton and Harold Ewald were transporting two prisoners to another facility when one of the prisoners suddenly leaned forward and began slashing Deputy Crampton with a homemade knife. When Ewald stopped the vehicle, Crampton began to turn and unholster his weapon. At that time, the prisoner dove over the seat, wrested Crampton's gun away from him and began squeezing the trigger, killing Crampton instantly. The prisoner then began fleeing the scene. Deputy Ewald jumped from the vehicle and began pursuing the prisoner, firing several shots which struck the prisoner below the right shoulder and in the stomach. An off duty police officer stopped at the scene, and upon hearing shots and seeing Ewald (who was in plain clothes) chasing the inmate with his gun drawn, mistook Ewald for a fleeing felon and fired at him, shooting him 3 times in the arm and once in the hand. Deputy Ewald was hospitalized for his injures. A stray bullet from the fleeing prisoner struck the other prisoner being transported. He successfully recovered after surgery. The fleeing prisoner was later apprehended.

Deputy Crampton, 60, had been with the department for 12 years, and left behind a wife, son, daughter, and 7 grandchildren. Deputy Crampton is the 3rd Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy to be killed in the line of duty. His name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial (on panel 19, E-2) in Washington, DC.

Harold Ewald

1/1/12 - 12/8/70

Deputy Harold Ewald suffered a heart attack while on duty at the Juvenile Center. It is believed that the stress of being shot and losing his partner, Deputy Frank "Butch" Crampton, in January 1970, contributed to his illness.

Deputy Ewald, 58, had been with the department over 20 years, and left behind a wife, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Deputy Ewald is the 4th Washtenaw County Deputy to die in the line of duty. His name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial (on panel 19, E-2) in Washington, DC.