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Incident
Chief James Collins suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting at the scene of an accident. He was returning to Hanover from the state capitol when he encountered the accident on a snow-covered road when he happened across the accident. Because of the snowy conditions he had the occupants stand on the other side of the guard rail. As he set out flares to warn oncoming traffic another car slid into the original car. Chief Collins did not return from setting out the flares and his body was found a short time later. Chief Collins had served with the Hanover Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Collins gave the Hanover Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hanover community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
James is the only officer of Hanover Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in NH, 23.7% of the 59 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 1 officer in NH was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1987, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 56. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 52.8; the middle age was 46.5. James had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
James was 56. 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. James had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 56. 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. James had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 21.4%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hanover Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 23.7% of all 59 deaths in NH, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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