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Incident
Sheriff Hansen drowned after saving a boy who had fallen into the Sheyenne River on the first day of fishing season. The sheriff dove in after the boy and was able to push him to safety but was pulled under by the river's strong currents. His body was recovered two hours later. Sheriff Hansen had served as sheriff for 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his father, two brothers, and three sisters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Hansen gave the Ransom County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lisbon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hansen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ralph is the only officer of Ransom County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 15 officers lost to accidents in ND, 24.6% of the 61 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 1 officer in ND was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 4.
In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1962, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 45. Of the 14 lost to accidents in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 54.3; the middle age was 45. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Ralph was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths in ND, more than any other month. Saturdays: 26.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ransom County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 24.6% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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