Kentwood Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Wednesday, January 17, 1979
Add to My HeroesLester J. Barden
Patrolman Barden suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to an emergency call at a restaurant.
When he arrived at the scene of the call, he encountered a man suffering a heart attack, and he proceeded to work on the man for several minutes until medical units arrived. After returning to his vehicle, he began to feel ill and, knowing he was suffering a heart attack, requested that he be taken to Blodgett Memorial Medical Center. While being transported to the hospital, he suffered a second heart attack and died.
Patrolman Barden had served with the Kentwood Police Department for eight years, was assigned to the E-Unit, and was the police department's first licensed EMT. He was responsible for creating the department's E-Unit. Patrolman Barden was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 8 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Heart attack
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsI come here every few years and read the refections of others and the ones I have posted. My 1st Hero has been gone for 43 years now. I am older than my own father, his oldest grandson is now 33, married and has 3 girls that would have loved their great grandpa….. Joshua is still such a replica of my dad, I am just as proud to be his mother as I am to be the daughter of an amazing hero. You are missed and thought of daily Dad. NEVER EVER will you be forgotten! (I see you through the eyes of my son-you would have been so proud of him.)
Trinette
Youngest daughter of Lester J. Barden
July 27, 2022
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