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Incident
Chief of Police Leo Dagner suffered a fatal heart attack after arresting two drunk men and placing them in the town jail. He had just placed them into the cell when he collapsed.
He had not yet locked the cell door before collapsing. One of the men went outside and notified passersby of what happened.
Chief Dagner was survived by his wife, four sons, three brothers, and two sisters.
Survivors
Chief Dagner was survived by his wife, four sons, three brothers, and two sisters.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Dagner served with the Willow City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Willow City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Leon is the only officer of Willow City Police Department remembered here.
Leon is one of 7 officers lost to cardiac events in ND, 11.5% of the 61 remembered there.
Leon is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Leon 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 1933, 1 officer in ND was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 4 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1933, 4 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Leon was 50. Of the 7 lost to cardiac events in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 59; the middle age was 50.
Leon was 50. 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.
Leon was 50. 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.
When
August holds 28.6% of these deaths in ND, more than any other month. Sundays: 28.6%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Willow City Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 11.5% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 14.3% 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
Where the Name Is Cut
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