A Burleigh County deputy died early Wednesday morning after helping arrest a drunken driving suspect, according to The Bismarck Tribune.
Deputy Bryan Sleeper, 39, was assisting Deputy Jon Eide in the arrest of Robbie Del James Roberson when he fell ill and collapsed while handcuffing the suspect.
Eide attempted to revive his partner with an AED while still maintaining control of the suspect.
Sleeper was transported to St. Alexius Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m.
Sheriff Pat Heinert announced at a press conference that preliminary results from an autopsy show that he died of a heart attack.
Heinert said the arrest was stressful, tense and physical.
Sleeper has been a member of the agency since 2007 and had previously worked as a correctional officer with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for more than seven years and also worked as an EMT.
Heinert described Sleeper as a "good deputy" who was excited to be back on patrol after a stint in the training division.
Deputies have been assigned to assist Sleeper's family.
He is survived by his wife, Lana, two stepsons, a stepdaughter and a grandson.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
