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Incident
Lieutenant Otto Dobratz suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating a fatal accidental shooting at Hallmere Reservoir.
He was at the scene of the shooting when he suddenly collapsed while attempting to radio police headquarters to inform them the shooting actually happened in Kensington.
Lieutenant Dobratz was U.S. Army veteran of WWI and recipient of the Purple Heart. He had served with the Meriden Police Department for over 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Otto is one person.
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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.
Lieutenant Dobratz gave the Meriden Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Meriden 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
Otto Ernest Dobratz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Meriden Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Otto is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in CT, 8.3% of the 169 remembered there.
Otto is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Otto 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 1953, 1 officer in CT was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1964, with 2.
In 1953, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1953, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Otto was 56. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 55.5; the middle age was 49.5. Otto had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Otto was 56. 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. Otto had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Otto was 56. 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. Otto had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 7.1% of these deaths in CT; November holds the most, 21.4%. Sundays: 28.6%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Meriden Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 8.3% of all 169 deaths in CT, 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.
His people
Meriden Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Otto among them.
Where
Military Service
Otto Ernest Dobratz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Otto Ernest Dobratz’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 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Meriden Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
