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Incident
Officer Richard Adair and Officer Jimmy Kennedy were ambushed while responding to a shots fired call. The officers were dispatched to a weapon call, as the suspect had opened fire without provocation on a neighbor and wounded him as he drove out of his driveway. The wounded driver drove down a hill, passed out and wrecked, prompting neighbors to call police. As the officers pulled up near the suspect's home, he fired on both with a rifle from a second floor window, striking them both in the head and killing them instantly. A back-up officer, a responding detective, was also shot and wounded. The chief of police then arrived and contained the scene while calling for backup from Alaska State Troopers. Before the troopers arrived, the suspect committed suicide. Officer Adair had served with the Juneau Police Department for just under 10 years.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Officer Adair gave the Juneau Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Juneau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Adair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard J. Adair served in the the United States military (1946â1948) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Juneau Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 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 1979, 2 officers in AK were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 51. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Richard had served 9.9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Richard was 51. 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 9.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 51. 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 9.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.6% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Tuesdays: 11.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Juneau Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 28.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Juneau Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Military Service
Richard J. Adair served in the United States military (1946–1948) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard J. Adair’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 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Juneau Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
