Prev
Incident
Officer John Sutton suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after attempting to break up a fight at Memorial Gymnasium in Orono during a dance. He had been assigned to a pep rally earlier in the evening and was working at the dance in preparation for a football game the following day. He intervened in a fight and was knocked down. He was able to break up the fight with the assistance of other officers. The officers then drove back to the police station in Old Town, where Officer Sutton collapsed. Officer Sutton was a United States Marine Corps Korean War veteran and served with the University of Maine Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtncww68fpgsnmd6918xe- 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 John. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Sutton gave the University of Maine Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orono community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John E. Sutton served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
University of Maine Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
John is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in ME, 16.3% of the 86 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in ME was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 2.
In 1963, 20 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1963, 20 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 31. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 57.8; the middle age was 52. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
John was 31. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
John was 31. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 7.1% of these deaths in ME; November holds the most, 35.7%. Fridays: 35.7%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at University of Maine Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 16.3% of all 86 deaths in ME, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
University of Maine Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John E. Sutton served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit John E. Sutton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from University of Maine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
