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Incident
Police Officer David Tinsley suffered a fatal heart attack while searching for a suspect following a vehicle pursuit and foot pursuit of a suspect in a stolen car.
The man drove onto a the Rivergreenway footpath along the St. Mary's River in the area of Candlelite Court where he crashed and fled on foot. Officer Tinsley assisted with a canine track of the suspect until the man was taken into custody. He was returning to his patrol car where he suddenly collapsed.
Other officers began CPR and he was transported to St. Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Officer Tinsley had served with the Fort Wayne Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, his parents, three siblings, two nieces, and two nephews.
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.
Police Officer Tinsley gave the Fort Wayne Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Wayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tinsley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Fort Wayne Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
David is one of 24 officers lost to cardiac events in IN, 4.8% of the 503 remembered there.
David is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 2018, 1 officer in IN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 2.
In 2018, 20 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2018, 20 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
David was 50. Of the 24 lost to cardiac events in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 52; the middle age was 49. David had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
David was 50. 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. David had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
David was 50. 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. David had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Fort Wayne Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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
Fort Wayne Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Fort Wayne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
