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Incident
Police Officer Ben Christensen suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to serve a warrant on a subject.
He had observed the subject and knew the man had an active warrant. He retrieved the warrant and as he returned to the man's location he collapsed. He was transported to Aitkin Hospital where he passed away.
Officer Christensen had served with the Aitkin Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnn9sdkpcne2fx2jq5xj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Benjamin is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Christensen gave the Aitkin Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Aitkin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Christensen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Benjamin Carl Christensen served in the U.S. Army (1955â1962) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Benjamin is the only officer of Aitkin Police Department remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 26 officers lost to cardiac events in MN, 8.9% of the 293 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1979, 2 officers in MN were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1979, 17 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1979, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Benjamin was 45. Of the 26 lost to cardiac events in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 52; the middle age was 47.5. Benjamin had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Benjamin was 45. 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. Benjamin had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Benjamin was 45. 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. Benjamin had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 19.2% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Fridays: 11.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Aitkin Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 8.9% of all 293 deaths in MN, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Benjamin Carl Christensen served in the U.S. Army (1955–1962) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Benjamin Carl Christensen’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Aitkin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.