Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Heath Hardin suffered a fatal heart attack while he and his K9 partner searched a wooded area near U.S. 301 and Tom Starling Road for a person who had fled from officers on foot.
The person and another man had stolen gas from a service station earlier in the day and fled from their vehicle after being spotted by officers.
One perpetrator was apprehended at the scene, but the other suspect was able to flee into the woods, approximately two miles from where the vehicle was stopped. Sergeant Hardin collapsed during the pursuit. The suspect was apprehended later in the afternoon. He was charged with stealing gas, driving with a revoked license, eluding arrest, and reckless driving. No charges were filed in connection with Sergeant Hardin's death.
Sergeant Hardin had served with the Hope Mills Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son, who became a law enforcement officer.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-EB34AB62- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Hardin gave the Hope Mills Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hope Mills community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hardin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James Heath Hardin is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 33 of 664 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 5% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Hope Mills Police Dept., 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Heath Hardin's cause is highlighted.
How James Heath Hardin Compares
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. James Heath Hardin is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hope Mills Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
