Incident
Deputy Wrobbel suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting a search and rescue mission. He was at home celebrating his birthday when he received a call that a vehicle had gone through the ice on Lake Polaski near Buffalo, Minnesota. Upon his arrival he started heading towards the scene when he suffered the heart attack. The victims had made it out of the vehicle before Deputy Wrobbel's arrival but had not told authorities.
Survivors
Deputy Wrobbel had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife and two sons.
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 Wrobbel gave the Wright County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wrobbel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Wright County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Roger is one of 26 officers lost to cardiac events in MN, 8.9% of the 293 remembered there.
Roger is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roger 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 1980, 1 officer in MN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 24 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 2.
In 1980, 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 1980, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Roger was 42. Of the 26 lost to cardiac events in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 52; the middle age was 47.5. Roger had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Roger was 42. 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. Roger had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Roger was 42. 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. Roger had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 7.7% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 19.2%. Sundays: 7.7%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Wright County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 8.9% of all 293 deaths in MN, 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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Wright County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Roger among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wright County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
