Incident
Patrolman Leaward Rich and Patrolman Edwin Stephenson were killed in an automobile crash while en route to assist another officer who was chasing a stolen car. During their response at 12:30 a.m., in an attempt to avoid another car in the intersection, the unmarked police car left the roadway. It struck a tree at Brook Street and Westwood Avenue, causing fatal injuries to both officers. Patrolman Rich was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Richmond Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, fiancee, sister, and two brothers.
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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Leaward 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 Rich gave the Richmond Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond 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
Leaward Robert Rich served in the U.S. Air Force (1965â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richmond Police Department has lost 40 officers; 17 of them lost to accidents.
Leaward is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Leaward is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Leaward is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 2 officers at Richmond Police Department were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1974, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Leaward was 28. Of the 12 lost to accidents at Richmond Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 45; the middle age was 38. Leaward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Leaward was 28. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Leaward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leaward was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Leaward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leaward was 28. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Leaward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.8% of these deaths at Richmond Police Department; April holds the most, 64.7%. Fridays: 11.8%.
December holds 12.8% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.5% of all 40 deaths at Richmond Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 17.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.4% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Richmond Police Department has 40 officers remembered here, Leaward among them.
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Thomas Kirkham Jul 1, 1869
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Richard O. Busch Mar 20, 1870
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James T. Cox Apr 27, 1870
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James M. Carter Apr 27, 1870
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William R. Cray Apr 27, 1870
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John Kerr Apr 27, 1870
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Michael McCarthy Apr 27, 1870
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John P. Meagher Apr 27, 1870
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Joseph Anderson Seay Apr 27, 1870
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Julius Schultz
Apr 27, 1870
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Donald G. Tourgee Apr 27, 1870
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James M. Walker Apr 27, 1870
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Robert D. Austin
Apr 11, 1898
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John F. Shinberger
Jul 3, 1904
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Gerald M. Harmon
Aug 24, 1919
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Washington Irving Curtis
Aug 21, 1921
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J. Harvey Burke
Jul 28, 1925
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Louis Foster Bertucci
Aug 9, 1925
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Bennie F. Williams
Oct 31, 1931
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William A. Toot
Sep 30, 1934
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Horace C. Parker
Apr 3, 1935
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William A. Moore
Nov 2, 1935
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William Stephen Snead
Feb 5, 1937
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John A. Tibbs
Oct 20, 1940
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Marvin Luther Farmer
Jul 18, 1942
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John Henry Posenau
Nov 14, 1952
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Clifton Hawes White
Aug 19, 1954
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James W. Crowder
Sep 5, 1957
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Luther K. Nuckols
Dec 8, 1962
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Raymond B. Smith
Oct 13, 1968
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David A. Cooper
Feb 10, 1970
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Harry Charlton, III
Jun 25, 1971
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Vernon Leigh Jarrelle, Jr.
Aug 1, 1973
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Leaward Robert Rich
Dec 13, 1974
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Edwin Hugh Stephenson, Jr.
Dec 13, 1974
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E. Allen Wakefield
Sep 27, 1975
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Michael P. Connors
Nov 13, 1979
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George Ronald Taylor
Jun 15, 1986
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Thomas Francis McMahon
Oct 14, 1998
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Douglas Edward Wendel
Jul 30, 2003
Where
Military Service
Leaward Robert Rich served in the U.S. Air Force (1965–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Leaward Robert Rich’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 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















