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Incident
Sheriff Jake Mulder suffered a fatal heart attack while he and his deputy struggled with an emotionally disturbed person. He and the deputy had gone to serve mental commitment papers on the man. Sheriff Mulder had served with the O'Brien County Sheriff's Department for five years and had previously served with the Sheldon Police Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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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
35 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Mulder gave the O'Brien County Sheriff's Department 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Primghar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mulder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
O'Brien County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Jake is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in IA, 4.9% of the 226 remembered there.
Jake is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jake 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 1956, 1 officer in IA was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1956, 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 1956, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Jake was 51. Of the 11 lost to cardiac events in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 55; the middle age was 51. Jake had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Jake was 51. 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. Jake had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Jake was 51. 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. Jake had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 18.2% of these deaths in IA; October holds the most, 36.4%. Wednesdays: 18.2%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at O'Brien County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.9% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 18.2% 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 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
O'Brien County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jake among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from O'Brien County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
