North Dakota Youth Correctional Center, North Dakota
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 29, 1996
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: May 29, 1996
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Correctional Instructor Roger Sorensen drowned in the Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park while attempting to cross the river on horseback.
He and another correctional instructor were providing support for a group of juvenile inmates who were conducting a hike. As Instructor Sorenson attempted to cross the river, he determined it to be too deep and swift, so he tried to return to shore. His horse lunged forward and then fell into the water. Instructor Sorenson was washed approximately 400 yards downstream, where he submerged and failed to surface.
Instructor Sorensen had served with the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and three grandchildren.