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Richard H. Conklin
Incident
Patrolman Richard Conklin was shot and killed while assisting a local rescue squad transport a mentally ill patient at 12:45 p.m. While traveling on Stelton Road at Route 287, the patient, who was being restrained with wrist straps, was able to break free and ripped Patrolman Conklin's service weapon from its holster. He then shot Patrolman Conklin twice, killing him. The 22-year-old suspect was committed to a mental institution. Patrolman Conklin was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the South Plainfield Police Department for just over 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée, parents, and two sisters.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Richard is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Conklin gave the South Plainfield Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Plainfield community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard H. Conklin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Plainfield Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 3 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 27. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Richard was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.7% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Fridays: 14.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at South Plainfield Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
South Plainfield Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Military Service
Richard H. Conklin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard H. Conklin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Plainfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
