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Nathan John Van Oort Sr.
Incident
Police Officer Nathan Van Oort succumbed to injuries sustained nine years earlier when he was struck by lightning while representing the Ohio University Police Department in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The group of participants had stopped at a preschool, at 28841 Chieftan Drive in Logan, and were inside a picnic shelter when the lightning strike occurred. Other officers on scene performed CPR for 20 minutes until he was stabilized enough for transport to a local hospital. Several other officers and participants were injured.
Officer Van Oort never fully recovered from his injuries and passed away as a result on November 7th, 2015.
Officer Van Oort was an Ohio National Guard veteran and had served with the Ohio University Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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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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.
Police Officer Van Oort gave the Ohio University Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Thank you 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
Nathan John Van Oort Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nathan is the only officer of Ohio University Police Department remembered here.
Nathan is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Nathan is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Nathan is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 1 officer in OH was lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nathan was 53. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Nathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathan was 53. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Nathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathan was 53. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ohio University Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Nathan John Van Oort Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Nathan John Van Oort Sr.’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
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