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Roger C. Sorensen
Incident
Correctional Instructor Roger Sorensen drowned in the Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park while attempting to cross the river on horseback.
He and another correctional instructor were providing support for a group of juvenile inmates who were conducting a hike. As Instructor Sorenson attempted to cross the river, he determined it to be too deep and swift, so he tried to return to shore. His horse lunged forward and then fell into the water. Instructor Sorenson was washed approximately 400 yards downstream, where he submerged and failed to surface.
Instructor Sorensen had served with the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Correctional Instructor Sorensen gave the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Mandan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Instructor Sorensen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Roger is the only officer of North Dakota Youth Correctional Center remembered here.
Roger is one of 15 officers lost to accidents in ND, 24.6% of the 61 remembered there.
Roger is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roger is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 1 officer in ND was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 4.
In 1996, 49 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 98th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1996, 57 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Roger was 56. Of the 14 lost to accidents in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 54.3; the middle age was 45. Roger had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Roger was 56. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Roger had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roger was 56. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Roger had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths in ND, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 26.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at North Dakota Youth Correctional Center.
Accident deaths account for 24.6% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from North Dakota Youth Correctional Center are honored on badge.nw.