Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edwin Stephenson and Patrolman Leaward Rich were killed in an automobile crash while en route to assist another officer who was chasing a stolen car. During their response at 12:30 a.m., in an attempt to avoid another car in the intersection, the unmarked police car left the roadway. It struck a tree at Brook Street and Westwood Avenue, causing fatal injuries to both officers. Patrolman Stephenson had served with the Richmond Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-16FC15CF- 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.
Patrolman Stephenson gave the Richmond Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stephenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edwin Hugh Stephenson Jr. is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 204 of 656 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.1% of this state's fallen. That is 31.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Richmond Police Department, 17 of 40 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edwin Hugh Stephenson Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Edwin Hugh Stephenson Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Edwin Hugh Stephenson Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
