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Incident
Trooper Bruce Heck was killed in a fight with a man on Glenn Highway, near milepost 156, during a traffic stop. The suspect had robbed a store, beat the owner, and had stolen a taxi before engaging in a high-speed chase with Trooper Heck. After crashing the vehicle, the man fled on foot. Another trooper who responded to Trooper Heck's call for backup found his body approximately 150 yards off the highway, lying face up in the snow. The suspect was arrested approximately 20 minutes later by the first backup unit who arrived. The man had just been released from prison 48 hours earlier after serving a five-year sentence for escape. On March 3rd, 1998, the man was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of robbery, two counts of assault, one count of escape, and one count of vehicle theft. He was subsequently sentenced to 142 years in prison. Trooper Heck had served with the Alaska State Troopers for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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21 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Heck gave the Alaska State Troopers 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alaska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Heck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alaska State Troopers has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Bruce is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer at Alaska State Troopers was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 2.
In 1997, 1 officer in AK was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bruce was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Alaska State Troopers whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 34. Bruce had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Bruce was 42. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Bruce had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Bruce was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Alaska State Troopers; May holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 17.1% of these deaths in AK, more than any other month. Fridays: 8.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Alaska State Troopers, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Alaska State Troopers has 12 officers remembered here, Bruce among them.
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Dennis Finbar Cronin
Feb 18, 1974
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Larry Robert Carr
Dec 11, 1974
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Frank Stuart Rodman
Dec 11, 1974
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Roland Edgar Chevalier, Jr.
Apr 3, 1982
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Troy Lynn Duncan
May 19, 1984
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Robert Lee Bittick
Oct 11, 1994
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Bruce Alan Heck
Jan 10, 1997
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Hans-Peter Roelle
Nov 24, 2001
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Tage Brandel Toll
Mar 30, 2013
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Gabriel Lenox Rich
May 1, 2014
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Patrick Scott Johnson
May 1, 2014
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Curtis Matthew Worland
Dec 13, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Alaska State Troopers are honored on badge.nw.
