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Incident
Police Officer Matthew Lovejoy suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to a burglary call and conducting a search at a local public housing complex.
After completing his shift and returning home, he was found unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in a coma until passing away one month later.
Officer Lovejoy had served with the Murfreesboro Police Department for 10 years.
Officer Lovejoy had served with the Murfreesboro Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, brother, and grandparents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lovejoy gave the Murfreesboro Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murfreesboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lovejoy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Murfreesboro Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Matthew is one of 37 officers lost to cardiac events in TN, 4.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 2007, 1 officer in TN was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 4.
In 2007, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2007, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Matthew was 34. Of the 36 lost to cardiac events in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 41.8 and 54.3; the middle age was 49. Matthew had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Matthew was 34. 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. Matthew had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Matthew was 34. 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. Matthew had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 10.8% of these deaths in TN; March holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 27%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Murfreesboro Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, 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 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Murfreesboro Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Murfreesboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
