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Incident
Officer Peter Resch suffered a fatal heart attack minutes after struggling with a suspect at the scene of a domestic disturbance.
Officer Resch, with the assistance of a Verndale officer, was able to subdue and handcuff the suspect. The officer then collapsed in the apartment building hallway as he escorted the suspect to a patrol car.
Other officers and emergency personnel on the scene immediately began CPR. He was transported to Tri County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Resch had served with the Wadena Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Officer Resch gave the Wadena Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wadena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Resch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Peter is the only officer of Wadena Police Department remembered here.
Peter is one of 26 officers lost to cardiac events in MN, 8.9% of the 293 remembered there.
Peter is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter 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 2005, 1 officer in MN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 24 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 2.
In 2005, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2005, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Peter was 47. Of the 26 lost to cardiac events in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 52; the middle age was 47.5. Peter had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Peter was 47. 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. Peter had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Peter was 47. 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. Peter had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 19.2%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wadena Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 8.9% of all 293 deaths in MN, 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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