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Incident
Police Officer Roger Hildreth suffered a fatal heart attack while running on a treadmill in the department's gym.
He had just completed responses to a burglary in progress call and a call involving two dogs loose in a neighborhood before collapsing.
Officer Hildreth was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Des Moines Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roger. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Roger 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.
Police Officer Hildreth gave the Des Moines Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines 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
Roger Ray Hildreth served in the U.S. Navy (1978â1982) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Des Moines Police Department has lost 27 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Roger is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in IA, 4.9% of the 226 remembered there.
Roger is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Roger 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 2008, 1 officer in IA was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2008, 14 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 40th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2008, 14 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 40th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Roger was 48. Of the 11 lost to cardiac events in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 55; the middle age was 51. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Roger was 48. 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. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Roger was 48. 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. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in IA; October holds the most, 36.4%. Thursdays: 36.4%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 3.7% of all 27 deaths at Des Moines Police Department, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.9% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
His people
Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Roger among them.
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Edward H. Wishart Jul 1, 1891
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Augustus C. Becker
Feb 19, 1904
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Frank Delmege
Sep 20, 1909
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George William Mattern
Apr 12, 1918
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Charles Chester Jackson
Dec 16, 1918
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Cornelius J. McCarthy
Sep 27, 1919
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Ollie D. Thomas
Aug 20, 1925
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Gerald D. Pickett
Sep 24, 1925
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James A. Staggs
Apr 20, 1928
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Harry Ogilvie
Jul 12, 1930
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Rupert L. Shepherd
Aug 1, 1930
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James Joshua Cowart
Dec 7, 1931
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Harry Linn Booton
Dec 11, 1932
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Steven Tabor Howard
Mar 2, 1935
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George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
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Charles Thomas Andreano
Jul 30, 1964
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James Emery Rodine
Aug 13, 1968
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Brian Charles Melton
Apr 21, 1977
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Dennis Earl Hill
Aug 28, 1977
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Sean Wissink
Feb 11, 2007
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Roger Ray Hildreth
Feb 21, 2008
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David Allen Bowen
Sep 29, 2008
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Susan Louise Farrell
Mar 26, 2016
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Carlos Bernabe Puente-Morales
Mar 26, 2016
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Anthony David Beminio
Nov 2, 2016
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Joseph Morgan
Sep 16, 2020
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Phoukham Tran
Nov 2, 2023
Military Service
Roger Ray Hildreth served in the U.S. Navy (1978–1982) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Roger Ray Hildreth’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 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
