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Incident
Lieutenant William Emerson suffered a fatal heart attack during a SWAT training exercise.
The team had just completed a one mile run around the track at Florida Atlantic University when suddenly collapsed shortly before noon.
Lieutenant Emerson was a charter member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Boca Raton Lodge 35.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Lieutenant Emerson gave the Boca Raton Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boca Raton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Emerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
William is the only officer of Boca Raton Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 3 officers in FL were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 1975, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1975, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 51. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
William was 51. 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. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
William was 51. 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. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 19.4% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Boca Raton Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th 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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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