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Howard Wayne Holdefer
Incident
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Howard Holdefer suffered a fatal heart attack as he and several other deputies attempted to arrest three intoxicated men.
The suspects began to struggle and kick during the arrest. During the struggle Reserve Deputy Holdefer suffered the heart attack.
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.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Holdefer served with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Sheriff Holdefer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Howard is the only officer of Jasper County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Howard is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in IA, 4.9% of the 226 remembered there.
Howard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Howard 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 1973, 1 officer in IA was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1973, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Howard was 51. Of the 11 lost to cardiac events in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 55; the middle age was 51.
Howard was 51. 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.
Howard was 51. 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
October holds 36.4% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 9.1%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jasper County Sheriff's Department.
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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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