National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Detective

Memorial Panel: 48-E: 25

Department: Maine State Police

End of Watch: October 17, 1997

Cause: PHYS

Age: 46

Years of Service: 4

Description: On October 11, 1997, Trooper Strange assisted Houlton Police Officer Donahue stop a suspect whom he was pursuing in a high-speed chase. The suspect's car left the roadway after it hit spike sticks placed by Trooper Strange. Trooper Strange pulled the suspect from the vehicle. The suspect kicked Trooper Strange several times in his face, chest, and side, before he was placed in leg irons. As a result of this assault, Trooper Strange experienced recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia. He took two days off from work to rest. On October 14th, he was admitted to the hospital where he was diagnosed with recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia, and was fitted with a temporary pacemaker to help control his irregular heartbeat. He was released from the hospital six days later and died on his way home from the hospital from ventricular fibrillation.