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Incident
Sheriff Mark Hecker suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with a mental subject he was attempting to take into emergency protective custody.
He began to feel ill several hours later and drove himself to a local hospital. His condition continued to worsen and he passed away four days later.
Sheriff Hecker had served with the Butler County Sheriff's Office for 26 years and had previously served with the Humphrey Police Department and David City Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his six children, five grandchildren, and two brothers.
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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Hecker gave the Butler County Sheriff's Office 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the David City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hecker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Butler County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Mark is one of 10 officers lost to cardiac events in NE, 6.6% of the 151 remembered there.
Mark is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark 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 2014, 1 officer in NE was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 2022, with 2.
In 2014, 24 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2014, 24 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
Who
Mark was 53. Of the 10 lost to cardiac events in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 55.3; the middle age was 52. Mark had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 21 years.
Mark was 53. 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. Mark had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Mark was 53. 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. Mark had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 10% of these deaths in NE; November holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Butler County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.6% of all 151 deaths in NE, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 30% 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
Butler County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Butler County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
