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Richard Thomas Steed
Incident
Officer Richard Steed was shot and killed while responding to what was believed to be a medical assistance call on El Camino Real in which a person claimed to have slashed his wrists. When he arrived at the scene, he was shot by the person who had requested the assistance. The killer, 23, fled the scene but was arrested approximately eight hours later in a nearby parking lot and is incarcerated at a mental hospital, deemed incompetent to stand trial. He was declared too dangerous to release August 10, 1988. Officer Steed was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the San Clemente Police Department for less than two years. He is survived by his wife. A park in San Clemente has been named for Officer Steed. In 2011, a stretch of I-5 that runs through San Clemente was designated as the Officer Richard T. Steed Memorial Highway. Officer Steed is the only member of the San Clemente Police Department to have been killed in the line of duty. Policing services in San Clemente is now provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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. Marine Corps. 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 Steed gave the San Clemente Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Clemente 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
Richard Thomas Steed served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richard is the only officer of San Clemente Police Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard 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 1978, 14 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 30. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 30. 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. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November 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 San Clemente Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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.
Military Service
Richard Thomas Steed served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard Thomas Steed’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 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from San Clemente Police Department are honored on badge.nw.