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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joshua LaForge suffered a fatal heart attack while exercising at 7:34 a.m. Despite life-saving measures, he was unable to be resuscitated.
Deputy LaForge had served with the Racine County Sheriff's Department for six months and previously served with the Racine Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff LaForge gave the Racine County Sheriff's Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Racine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff LaForge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Racine County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Joshua is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in WI, 7.2% of the 318 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joshua 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 2023, 1 officer in WI was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 2023, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2023, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joshua was 41. Of the 22 lost to cardiac events in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 55.8; the middle age was 48.5. Joshua had served 18.5 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Joshua was 41. 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. Joshua had served 18.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joshua was 41. 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. Joshua had served 18.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 8.7% of these deaths in WI; May holds the most, 30.4%. Tuesdays: 26.1%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Racine County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 7.2% of all 318 deaths in WI, 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.
His people
Racine County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Joshua among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Racine County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
