Incident
Police Officer Ronald Strittmatter suffered a fatal heart attack after attempting to help an elderly person who had fallen.
He had attempted to lift the person off the floor several times until paramedics arrived. He got off duty approximately one hour later and went home. He died early the following morning as the result of a heart attack.
Officer Strittmatter had served with the Lakeshire Police Department for four years and had previously served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Strittmatter gave the Lakeshire Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Strittmatter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Lakeshire Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Ronald is one of 32 officers lost to cardiac events in MO, 3.9% of the 829 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 3 officers in MO were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2015, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2015, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ronald was 67. Of the 30 lost to cardiac events in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 65; the middle age was 56. Ronald had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Ronald was 67. 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. Ronald had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ronald was 67. 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. Ronald had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in MO; February holds the most, 18.8%. Saturdays: 15.6%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lakeshire Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 829 deaths in MO, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Lakeshire Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lakeshire Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
