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Incident
Police Officer Nathan Desjardins succumbed to injuries sustained on May 27th, 2017, in a boating accident on the Saco River.
He was participating in his first day of water rescue training when he and his training officer were dispatched to assist with the rescue of three boaters who had been thrown overboard when their canoes capsized. One of the missing boaters drowned during the incident.
Officer Desjardins' patrol boat struck a submerged object in the water as it came around a bend in the river. Both officers were thrown overboard and Officer Desjardins suffered a severe head injury.
Both officers were flown to Central Maine Medical Center where Officer Desjardins remained in a coma until succumbing to his injuries on June 6th, 2017.
Officer Desjardins served as a part-time officer with the Fryeburg Police Department for three months and was a full-time student at the University of New England.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Desjardins served with the Fryeburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fryeburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Desjardins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nathan is the only officer of Fryeburg Police Department remembered here.
Nathan is one of 33 officers lost to accidents in ME, 38.4% of the 86 remembered there.
Nathan is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nathan 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 2017, 1 officer in ME was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nathan was 20. Of the 31 lost to accidents in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 33. Nathan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Nathan was 20. 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. Nathan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathan was 20. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nathan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.1% of these deaths in ME; November holds the most, 21.2%. Tuesdays: 24.2%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fryeburg Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 38.4% of all 86 deaths in ME, 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 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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