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Incident
Captain Richard Parker suffered a fatal heart attack after working additional overtime for a highway safety grant.
The day before his heart attack, he worked his regular shift, conducted seven traffic stops in three hours during his overtime shift, and then worked out at the gym before going home. He was found unresponsive the next day when he did not report for his regular shift.
Captain Parker had served with the McAlester Police Department for 26 years and previously served with the Pittsburgh County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, daughter, and father.
In Our Keeping
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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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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Parker gave the McAlester Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the McAlester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Parker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
McAlester Police Department has lost 7 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 21 officers lost to cardiac events in OK, 3.6% of the 582 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 1 officer in OK was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 2.
In 2023, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2023, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 52. Of the 19 lost to cardiac events in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 54.5; the middle age was 47. Richard had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Richard was 52. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 52. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 19% of these deaths in OK; January holds the most, 19%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at McAlester Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
McAlester Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from McAlester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
