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Incident
Chief of Police Richard Duncan was killed in a head-on collision while driving his canine unit. His canine loyally stayed with him until rescue units arrived.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-XDE1-DPMN-Fearlier record number BO-US-AR-A5871553- Stewardship
- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Duncan gave the Decatur Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Duncan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Decatur Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Richard is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 7 officers in AR were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 56. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 56. Of the 7,715 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 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 56. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.8% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Thursdays: 20.7%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Decatur Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Decatur Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
