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Incident
Detective Sergeant Homer Hatt suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after breaking up a fight between two men on West Saginaw Street.
He had taken one of the men to a tavern on the street to identify the bartender who had served alcohol to the underaged man. As they were leaving the tavern the man started fighting with a second man who had cursed at him. As Detective Sergeant Hatt tried to break up the fight he was struck in the chest by the second man.
Detective Sergeant Hatt was able to arrest both men and take them to jail. He went home after booking them and suffered a fatal heart attack.
Detective Sergeant had served with the Lansing Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the Crime Prevention Bureau.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, father, and two brothers.
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.
Detective Sergeant Hatt gave the Lansing Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hatt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Lansing Police Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Homer is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Homer is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Homer 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 1947, 2 officers in MI were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1947, 4 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1947, 4 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 92nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Homer was 47. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Homer had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Homer was 47. 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. Homer had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Homer was 47. 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. Homer had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 12.8% of these deaths in MI; May holds the most, 15.4%. Wednesdays: 17.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Lansing Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.5% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 23.1% 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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Lansing Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Homer 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
6 officers from Lansing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
