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Richard Anthony Champion
Incident
Police Officer Richard Champion was killed in a vehicle crash while pursuing a vehicle on Pittsburgh Road, in Perry Township, at approximately 1:00 p.m.
During the pursuit another vehicle turned in front of Officer Champion's patrol car, causing a collision. Officer Champion became trapped in the patrol car while it caught fire. Several citizens attempted to break the windows but were unable to free him from the wreckage. The driver of the other vehicle in the crash was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
The vehicle he was pursuing continued to flee the and the driver remains at large.
Officer Champion was a military veteran. He had served with the Perryopolis Borough Police Department for eight months and also worked part-time with the Derry Borough Police Department.
In May 2017, Route 51 in Fayette County was renamed Officer Richard Champion Highway.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 16-month-old child.
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. Army. 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.
Police Officer Champion served with the Perryopolis Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Perryopolis community. Thank you 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 Anthony Champion served in the U.S. Army (2003â2004) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richard is the only officer of Perryopolis Borough Police Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard 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 2014, 2 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 2014, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2014, 51 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 36. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Richard was 36. 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. Richard had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 36. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Perryopolis Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.3% 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.
Where
Military Service
Richard Anthony Champion served in the U.S. Army (2003–2004) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard Anthony Champion’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 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Perryopolis Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.