Prev
Richard David Shurtz
Incident
Auxiliary Captain Rick Shurtz accidentally shot and killed himself while showing another officer how Auxiliary Officer Todd Johnson was shot and killed four days earlier during a training accident. He was providing security at a community haunted house at 4000 Black Hawk Road when he attempted the demonstration. He removed the magazine from his weapon but forgot to remove the chambered round. After he was struck by the round, he attempted to drive himself to the hospital but was involved in a vehicle crash. He underwent surgery but died the following day as the result of an injured aorta sustained in the vehicle crash. Auxiliary Captain Shurtz was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Rock Island Police Department for 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqpgts0w2854kn33d9z9- 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.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Richard is one person.
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 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.
Auxiliary Captain Shurtz gave the Rock Island Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island 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 David Shurtz served in the U.S. Navy (1966â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rock Island Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 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 1993, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1993, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1993, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 46. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 46. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 46. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Rock Island Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 0.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rock Island Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Military Service
Richard David Shurtz served in the U.S. Navy (1966–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard David Shurtz’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 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rock Island Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
