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Merle Wilfred Bethscheider
Incident
Assistant Chief Merle Bethscheider suffered a massive heart attack while in pursuit of a suspect.
Survivors
He was survived by his son, his mother, ad by his brother.
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.
Assistant Chief of Police Bethscheider served with the Silverton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Silverton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Bethscheider.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Silverton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Merle is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in OR, 5.6% of the 197 remembered there.
Merle is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Merle is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 1 officer in OR was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1965, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1965, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Merle was 50. Of the 10 lost to cardiac events in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54; the middle age was 49.5.
Merle 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.
Merle 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.
When
May holds 18.2% of these deaths in OR; December holds the most, 18.2%. Saturdays: 9.1%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Silverton Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.6% of all 197 deaths in OR, 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 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Silverton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Merle among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Silverton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.