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Incident
Officer Richard Matthews was killed in an automobile accident while responding to backup another officer. His patrol car struck a tree after he swerved to avoid a box in the roadway on Shipyard Boulevard.
He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Matthews had served with the Wilmington Police Department for 2 years and had previously served with the New York City Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, sister, and brother.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Matthews gave the Wilmington Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wilmington Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2009, 4 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2009, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2009, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 28. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Wilmington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 28. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Richard was 28. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department; June holds the most, 60%. Wednesdays: 20%.
February holds 5.9% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wilmington Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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Thomas DeVane, V Aug 5, 1865
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William Freeman Craig
Sep 23, 1918
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Robert Stacy Toler Oct 7, 1918
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Leon George
Jul 29, 1924
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Adrian Darsey Newton
Jul 18, 1936
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Roy J. Carney
Apr 1, 1937
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David Hall
Nov 7, 1949
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William C. Jordan
Jun 10, 1950
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Clarence A. Davis
Jun 24, 1971
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James William Nunalee, Sr.
Apr 4, 1978
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Christopher Fitzgerald Williams
Jun 16, 2006
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Richard John Matthews
Feb 18, 2009
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
