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Incident
Patrolman Shawn Rager suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after completing active shooter training with the Cambria County Specialized Emergency Response Team.
He and other members of the team were conducting live fire active shooter response scenarios, which included running and shooting in simulated conditions. He returned home after the training and collapsed a short time later.
Patrolman Rager had served with the Johnstown Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Rager gave the Johnstown Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rager.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Johnstown Police Department has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Shawn is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Shawn is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Shawn is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 2016, 17 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2016, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Shawn was 45. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Shawn had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Shawn was 45. 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. Shawn had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Shawn was 45. 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. Shawn had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 15.3%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Johnstown Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Johnstown Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Shawn among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
