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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bryan Sleeper suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting another deputy in arresting a combative subject at about 12:45 am.
The other deputy had attempted to stop the man for speeding, but the suspect refused to stop and drove to his home. During the ensuing confrontation, the man was tased twice before Deputy Sleeper could handcuff him.
Deputy Sleeper collapsed moments later. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Deputy Sleeper had served with the Burleigh County Sheriff's Office for four years and previously served with the North Dakota State Penitentiary for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, mother, father, six sisters, nieces, nephews, and grandson.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Sleeper gave the Burleigh County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bismarck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sleeper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Burleigh County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Bryan is one of 7 officers lost to cardiac events in ND, 11.5% of the 61 remembered there.
Bryan is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bryan is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 1 officer in ND was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2011, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Bryan was 39. Of the 7 lost to cardiac events in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 59; the middle age was 50. Bryan had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Bryan was 39. 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. Bryan had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Bryan was 39. 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. Bryan had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 28.6% of these deaths in ND; August holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Burleigh County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 11.5% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 3rd 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 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Burleigh County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Bryan among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Burleigh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
