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Incident
Sergeant Springer suffered a fatal heart attack following a struggle to take a mentally deranged suspect into protective custody. Sergeant Springer and another officer were trying to transport the civilian to the Van Wert Mental Health Facility when the person became ill. Sergeant Springer and the other officer struggled to put the civilian into the patrol car when Sergeant Springer started having chest pains. He was transported to Van Wert County Hospital where he had a massive heart attack from which he did not recover. Sergeant Springer had been with the Coldwater Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter and son.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Springer gave the Coldwater Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Coldwater community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Springer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Douglas is the only officer of Coldwater Police Department remembered here.
Douglas is one of 43 officers lost to cardiac events in OH, 4.3% of the 993 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Douglas 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 1996, 3 officers in OH were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1996, 17 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1996, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Douglas was 48. 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. Douglas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Douglas was 48. 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. Douglas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Douglas was 48. 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. Douglas had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 9.3% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 18.6%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Coldwater Police Department.
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 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Coldwater Police Department are honored on badge.nw.