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Incident
Commander Dale Bernock suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a physical fitness exam at Crowley Park. Other officers present noticed that he was having trouble breathing, and then he collapsed. The officers immediately began CPR. He was transported to Oakwood Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Commander Bernock had served with the Dearborn Police Department for 22 years, and commanded the Investigations Division.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and parents.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Commander Bernock gave the Dearborn Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Dearborn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Commander Bernock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Dearborn Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Dale is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Dale is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dale is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in MI were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2005, 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 2005, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Dale was 47. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Dale had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Dale was 47. 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. Dale had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Dale was 47. 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. Dale had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 7.7% of these deaths in MI; May holds the most, 15.4%. Mondays: 15.4%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Dearborn Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Dearborn Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Dale among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dearborn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
