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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Donald Kehnast suffered a fatal heart attack while he and several other officers struggled with a mental patient at a tavern in Defiance, Ohio. Deputy Kehnast had been elected sheriff two months earlier and was to take office on January 4, 1965. He had served with the Defiance County Sheriff's Office for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Kehnast gave the Defiance County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Defiance community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kehnast.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Donald is the only officer of Defiance County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Donald is one of 43 officers lost to cardiac events in OH, 4.3% of the 993 remembered there.
Donald is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 1964, 1 officer in OH was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1996, with 3.
In 1964, 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 1964, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Donald was 52. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 45.5 and 52.5; the middle age was 49. Donald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Donald was 52. 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. Donald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Donald was 52. 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. Donald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 16.3% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Defiance County Sheriff's Office.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.3% of all 993 deaths in OH, 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Defiance County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.