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Christopher M. Gardner
Incident
Detective Sergeant Chris Gardner died as the result of complications following surgery for an injury sustained during firearms qualifications.
He injured his Achilles tendon as he ran from a position of cover to a shooting position on October 26th, 2016. He underwent surgery the following week and then returned home to recover. He returned to the hospital on November 15th, 2016, complaining of shortness of breath and passed away a short time later.
Detective Sergeant Gardner had served with the University of Maine Police Department for 27 years. He had been assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency as a special agent for the last nine years of his career.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and two sisters.
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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Gardner gave the University of Maine Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Orono community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Gardner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
University of Maine Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Christopher is one of 33 officers lost to accidents in ME, 38.4% of the 86 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 1 officer in ME was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 2016, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2016, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Christopher was 47. Of the 31 lost to accidents in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 33. Christopher had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Christopher was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 21.2% of these deaths in ME, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 24.2%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at University of Maine Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 38.4% of all 86 deaths in ME, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
University of Maine Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from University of Maine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
