Incident
Sheriff C.D. Miller suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to stop a gang fight at a barn dance near Pukwana, South Dakota. It was first thought that he sustained a fatal blow to the head while he tried to break up the fight. But an autopsy revealed that he died from a heart attack. Sheriff Miller had made several requests to the county commissioners to revoke the license of the dance hall, as he reported numerous times that it was a "breeder of lawlessness of all kinds." A suspect was tried but acquitted in connection with Sheriff Miller's murder. Sheriff Miller was survived by ten sons and three daughters. One of his sons was appointed sheriff after his death.
Survivors
Sheriff Miller was survived by ten sons and three daughters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Miller served with the Brule County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chamberlain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Brule County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Clarendon is one of 4 officers lost to cardiac events in SD, 6.3% of the 64 remembered there.
Clarendon is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarendon is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 2 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 107th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1931, 2 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 107th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Clarendon was 68. 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.
Clarendon was 68. 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.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Brule County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.3% of all 64 deaths in SD, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Brule County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Clarendon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Brule County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.