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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Junita Badavinac was killed in an automobile accident while assisting at the scene of a fire. She had just finished her shift and was on her way home when she observed several kids around the fire. She had moved kids away from one side of the fire and was driving across the railroad tracks to the other side when her car struck a bridge abutment. The collision caused her to suffer a heart attack.
Survivors
Deputy Badavinac was survived by her husband and three children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Badavinac served with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Badavinac.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Itasca County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Junita is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Junita is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Junita 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 1977, 2 officers in MN were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Junita was 46. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5.
Junita was 46. 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.
Junita was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 4.8% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Itasca County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, 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.
Her people
Itasca County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Junita among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Itasca County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
