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Ronald Edgar Unger
Incident
Police Officer Ronald Unger suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a burglary-in-progress call at Houghton Lake with two state troopers. As he approached the house the suspect jumped out of a window and landed directly in front of him. Officer Unger tackled the man and took him into custody after struggling with him. He collapsed a short time later and was transported to a hospital in Grayling where he passed away. Officer Unger had served as a part-time officer with the Roscommon Township Police Department for approximately three years. He had previously served with the Lansing Police Department for 17 years and as an officer with the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department for two years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ronald is one person.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Unger gave the Roscommon Township Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roscommon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Unger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ronald Edgar Unger served in the U.S. Army (1963â1966) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Ronald is the only officer of Roscommon Township Police Department remembered here.
Ronald is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ronald 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 1987, 1 officer in MI was lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 34 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1987, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1987, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ronald was 46. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Ronald was 46. 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. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ronald was 46. 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. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 2.6% of these deaths in MI; May holds the most, 15.4%. Mondays: 15.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Roscommon Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.5% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 23.1% 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.
Where
Military Service
Ronald Edgar Unger served in the U.S. Army (1963–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ronald Edgar Unger’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 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Roscommon Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.