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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Cass Nemmers suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after performing a physical fitness test at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at Camp Dodge, Iowa.
He had just completed the 1-1/2 mile run and other required exercises when began showing symptoms of a heart attack. He was flown to a hospital in Des Moines where he was pronounced dead.
Deputy Nemmers had just been promoted to Deputy Sheriff and had served as a detention officer and court security officer with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Nemmers gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nemmers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Polk County Sheriff has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Cass is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in IA, 4.9% of the 226 remembered there.
Cass is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Cass 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 2010, 1 officer in IA was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2010, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2010, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Cass was 46. Of the 11 lost to cardiac events in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 55; the middle age was 51. Cass had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Cass 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. Cass had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Cass 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. Cass had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in IA; October holds the most, 36.4%. Wednesdays: 18.2%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Polk County Sheriff, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.9% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 4th 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
Polk County Sheriff has 4 officers remembered here, Cass among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Polk County Sheriff are honored on badge.nw.
