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Incident
Chief of Police Perley Sprague suffered a fatal heart attack while performing a 1.5-mile run with a new officer during his physical fitness test.
As the officer began the final lap of the required run, Chief Sprague joined him. Chief Sprague collapsed as he neared the finish line. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Chief Sprague was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War. He was appointed as chief of the Rockport Police Department after retiring from the Maine Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Marine Patrol.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Coast Guard. One record, 2 gates. Perley 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.
Chief of Police Sprague gave the Rockport Police Department 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockport community, and 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
Perley Morrison Sprague served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1965â1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Perley is the only officer of Rockport Police Department remembered here.
Perley is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in ME, 16.3% of the 86 remembered there.
Perley is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Perley 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 1996, 1 officer in ME was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 2.
In 1996, 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 1996, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Perley was 48. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 57.8; the middle age was 52. Perley had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Perley 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. Perley had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Perley 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. Perley had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 35.7% of these deaths in ME, more than any other month. Fridays: 35.7%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rockport Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 16.3% of all 86 deaths in ME, 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
Perley Morrison Sprague served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1965–1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Perley Morrison Sprague’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 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Rockport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.