Deputy Keith Sturgis had just finished leading a funeral procession when his car went off of the road after he suffered an apparent heart attack.

Deputy Sturgis became a night patrolman at age 16 in Holden and became Holden's City Marshal at age 21. He served more than 60 years in law enforcement with Holden and the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. At the time of his death, his part time duties included serving civil documents, working as a courthouse bailiff and leading funeral processions. He served in the US Army during WWII. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.