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Incident
Chief of Police Olen Pass died from the effects of a stroke that he suffered on November 15th, 1941, while on duty.
He was attempting to lift a heavy iron bell while at the North Texas State Teachers College when he suffered the stroke. He never recovered and died two weeks later on November 29th, 1941.
Chief Pass had served as the elected chief of police of the Denton Police Department for almost four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, seven 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Pass gave the Denton Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Pass.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Denton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Olen is one of 204 officers lost to illness in TX, 8.4% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Olen is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Olen is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 1 officer in TX was lost to illness, the 7th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 99.
In 1941, 4 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 29th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1941, 14 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 28th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Olen was 58. Of the 201 lost to illness in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 59; the middle age was 53. Olen had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Olen was 58. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Olen had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Olen was 58. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Olen had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 5.4% of these deaths in TX; September holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 10.8%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Denton Police Department, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.4% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Denton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Olen among them.
Where
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
2 officers from Denton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
