Prev
Incident
Police Officer Richard Wentlandt died on the evening of March 15th, 1997, from a Hepatitis C infection that he contracted during blood transfusions after being shot in the line of duty on May 29, 1981. While on patrol, encountered a rape in progress in a remote area near NW 156th Street and 42nd Avenue. As he exited his patrol car to approach the vehicle, the occupant fired on him, striking him six times. He was able to return fire, wounding the suspect. The subject was in the process of raping a woman whom he had just abducted. Officer Wentlandt is credited with saving her life. Before his death, Officer Wentlandt's health deteriorated to the point where he was completely bedridden. In February 2012 Officer Wentlandt's killer was denied parole. Officer Wentlandt had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for 10 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnh370g25mdrhd02b4mq- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Wentlandt gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wentlandt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Metro-Dade Police Department has lost 25 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Richard is one of 81 officers lost to illness in FL, 8.1% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Richard is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer in FL was lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 55.
In 1997, 3 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 33rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1997, 4 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 134th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Richard was 48. Of the 79 lost to illness in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 53; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 16.5 years.
Richard was 48. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Richard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Richard was 48. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Richard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in FL; August holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 23.5%.
March holds 5.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
March holds 6.2% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 4% of all 25 deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.1% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Metro-Dade Police Department has 25 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
-
Edward Emile Fritz, Jr.
Feb 3, 1953
-
Jerome R. Christman
Dec 3, 1960
-
Earl Lee Johnson, Jr.
Feb 3, 1962
-
Carlos S. Stuteville
Aug 22, 1964
-
Paul G. Anderson, Jr.
May 7, 1967
-
Johnny Edward Mitchell
Dec 31, 1971
-
Harrison Crenshaw, Jr.
May 18, 1974
-
Simmons Arrington
May 21, 1974
-
Clark Hamilton Curlette
Apr 1, 1976
-
Frank Kenneth D'Azevedo
Apr 1, 1976
-
Thomas Allen Hodges, Jr.
Apr 1, 1976
-
William Coleman Cook
May 16, 1979
-
William Franklin Askew
Jul 24, 1979
-
Edward Russell Young
Sep 23, 1981
-
Cheryl W. Seiden
Jul 28, 1982
-
Stephen Owen Corbett
May 28, 1983
-
Robert L. Zore
Dec 25, 1983
-
Richard Allen Boles
Nov 28, 1988
-
David Henry Strzalkowski
Nov 28, 1988
-
Jose Teodoro Gonzalez
Mar 28, 1989
-
Joseph Preston Martin
Apr 27, 1990
-
Thomas James Leis
Apr 29, 1990
-
Evelyn Gort
Oct 30, 1993
-
Robert Vargas
Feb 7, 1997
-
Richard P. Wentlandt
Mar 15, 1997
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
24 officers from Metro-Dade Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
