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Incident
Chief of Police Cole Shatswell suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating a shoplifting in progress. When he arrived at the scene the suspect fled and Chief Shatswell chased him across the street, where he collapsed. A doctor who witnessed the incident began CPR but was unable to revive him.
Survivors
Chief Shatswell was survived by his wife and three sons.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Shatswell served with the Onawa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Onawa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Shatswell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Cole is the only officer of Onawa Police Department remembered here.
Cole is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in IA, 4.9% of the 226 remembered there.
Cole is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cole 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 1989, 1 officer in IA was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1989, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Cole was 37. Of the 11 lost to cardiac events in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 55; the middle age was 51.
Cole was 37. 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.
Cole was 37. 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.
When
October holds 36.4% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.2%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Onawa Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.9% of all 226 deaths in IA, 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 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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