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Ernest J. Dankert
Incident
Deputy Dankert suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a suspect. He was able to take the man into custody but collapsed moment later. Deputy Dankert had served with the Saginaw County Sheriff's Department for 8 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dankert gave the Saginaw County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saginaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dankert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ernest J. Dankert served in the the United States military (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Ernest is the only officer of Saginaw County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ernest is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ernest 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 MI 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
Ernest was 58. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Ernest was 58. 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. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ernest was 58. 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. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 15.4% of these deaths in MI; May holds the most, 15.4%. Fridays: 15.4%.
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 Saginaw County Sheriff's Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.5% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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.
Military Service
Ernest J. Dankert served in the United States military (1942–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest J. Dankert’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 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Saginaw County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.