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Incident
Captain Jimmy Sawyer suffered a fatal heart attack at approximately 10:00 am while performing qualification training at the Campbell University natatorium.
He had just finished a 200-meter swim when he suffered a heart attack. Other members of his agency and rescue personnel performed CPR on him but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Captain Sawyer had served with the North Carolina Marine Patrol for 18 years and had previously served five years with the Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Captain Sawyer gave the North Carolina Marine Patrol 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Morehead City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sawyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Jimmy is the only officer of North Carolina Marine Patrol remembered here.
Jimmy is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
Jimmy is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jimmy 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 2002, 1 officer in NC was lost to cardiac events, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 2002, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2002, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Jimmy was 48. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46. Jimmy had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Jimmy was 48. 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. Jimmy had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Jimmy was 48. 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. Jimmy had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 15.2% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Fridays: 21.2%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at North Carolina Marine Patrol.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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