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Incident
Marshal Marvin Richie was shot and killed by two Oklahoma prison escapees who had murdered two fishermen following their escape. The two men escaped by tunneling under the prison walls. Marshal Richie observed a suspicious vehicle containing the two and stopped it. During the stop, he was overpowered, handcuffed, and forced into the trunk of his patrol car. The suspects then drove to the Ashley Creek Park campground where they were approached by two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers non-law enforcement park rangers who saw Marshal Richie's patrol car and went to investigate. The two escapees surprised the rangers and held them at gunpoint. They forced one of the rangers into the trunk with Marshal Richie and forced the other to stay in the ranger's truck. Before closing the trunk lid one of the suspects shot Marshal Richie in the head, killing him, and the ranger in the chest. The suspects then abducted Ranger Opal James, took him to an isolated area, and murdered him execution style. The ranger who was shot in the chest recovered from his wounds. The suspects fled but were apprehended the following month in Portland, Oregon, by the FBI. Both suspects were sentenced to death and subsequently executed on January 8th, 1997.
Survivors
Marshal Richie was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Marvin is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Richie served with the Magazine Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Magazine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Richie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Marvin Eugene Richie served in the U.S. Navy (1945â1957) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marvin is the only officer of Magazine Police Department remembered here.
Marvin is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Marvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Marvin 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 1977, 4 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marvin was 49. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Marvin was 49. 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.
Marvin was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Magazine Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Marvin Eugene Richie served in the U.S. Navy (1945–1957) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Marvin Eugene Richie’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 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Magazine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.