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Incident
Police Officer Matt North suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after confronting an armed felon while conducting a probation check of a convicted felon with the 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
The task force had received information that the subject was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine from his home at 1420 Lucas Place in Miami, Oklahoma. Officers were greeted at the door by the man's father, who told them the man was not home. Due to the conditions of his probation agreement, the home was subject to search, and the task officers entered. They discovered a surveillance system in the subject's room displaying their vehicles in the front of the home, leading the officers to believe he was hiding inside.
One of the task force officers discovered the subject hiding behind a partially open door with one hand obscured behind his back. As he was instructed to show his hand, the man produced a handgun. The front officer was able to grab the gun as Officer North, and other officers immediately took the man to the ground and took him into custody. A large amount of narcotics and currency were recovered from the home.
Officer North began to experience chest pains during his next shift and sought medical treatment. He was discharged from the hospital but passed away after returning the following day.
Officer North had served with the Bernice Police Department and was a member of the 13th District Task Force and Counter-Terrorism and Surveillance. He had previously served in North Delaware County as a K-9 narcotics officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancé, son, daughter, and mother.
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 North served with the Bernice Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bernice community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer North.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Bernice Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Matthew is one of 21 officers lost to cardiac events in OK, 3.6% of the 582 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 2021, 1 officer in OK was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 2.
In 2021, 23 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2021, 23 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Matthew was 34. Of the 19 lost to cardiac events in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 54.5; the middle age was 47. Matthew had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 11 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 0.2 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 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 19% of these deaths in OK; January holds the most, 19%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bernice Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 23.8% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Bernice Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bernice Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
