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Incident
Sheriff Bernard Berghager suffered a fatal heart attack one day after conducting a search of an extremely hot home.
He was executing a search warrant with other officers when he was exposed to extremely high temperatures inside the home. He became exhausted during the search and appeared out of breath. The following morning he arrived at work and collapsed. He was transported to a local hospital where he passed away.
Sheriff Berghager had served with the Ralls County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Bernard is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Berghager gave the Ralls County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New London community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Berghager.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bernard Joseph Berghager served in the U.S. Army (1958â1959) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Bernard is the only officer of Ralls County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Bernard is one of 32 officers lost to cardiac events in MO, 3.9% of the 829 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bernard 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 2007, 3 officers in MO were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2007, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2007, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Bernard was 67. Of the 30 lost to cardiac events in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 65; the middle age was 56. Bernard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Bernard was 67. 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. Bernard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Bernard was 67. 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. Bernard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 12.5% of these deaths in MO; February holds the most, 18.8%. Fridays: 15.6%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ralls County Sheriff's Office.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 829 deaths in MO, 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
Bernard Joseph Berghager served in the U.S. Army (1958–1959) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Bernard Joseph Berghager’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 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ralls County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.