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Incident
Patrolman Timothy Hecht suffered a fatal heart attack during a training session for his agency's Emergency Response Team.
He and other officers were testing to be placed on the new assignment and were undergoing a physical fitness test when he collapsed during a mile-long run. Patrolman Hecht never regained consciousness.
Patrolman Hecht had served with the Porter County Sheriff's Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée, parents, and sister.
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.
Patrolman Hecht gave the Porter County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Valparaiso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hecht.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Porter County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Timothy is one of 24 officers lost to cardiac events in IN, 4.8% of the 503 remembered there.
Timothy is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Timothy 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 1999, 1 officer in IN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 2.
In 1999, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1999, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Timothy was 31. Of the 24 lost to cardiac events in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 52; the middle age was 49. Timothy had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Timothy was 31. 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. Timothy had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Timothy was 31. 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. Timothy had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 12.5% of these deaths in IN; September holds the most, 16.7%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Porter County Sheriff's Office, the 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
Porter County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Timothy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Porter County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
