Richard John Burchick
Agency patch
Patrolman

Richard John Burchick

Erie Police Department — Erie, PA
Felonious
End of Watch February 6, 1991
Age 39
Tour of Duty 4 yrs 4 mo
The Vigil Panel 136 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Richard Burchick succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while involved in a foot pursuit of a drive-by shooting suspect. He was shot at the intersection of East 21st Street and East Avenue. The subject was convicted of third degree murder. Patrolman Burchick had served with the Erie Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-5DC785FD
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.

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Burchick gave the Erie Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Erie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burchick.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Erie, Erie County, PA
Platform Identity epd.erie.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 6, 1991
Tour of Duty 4 yrs 4 mo
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Patrolman Richard John Burchick is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Erie Police Department, 7 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Erie Police Department
7
of 14 officers
50% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard John Burchick's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Richard John Burchick Compares

Age at Death
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4.3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard John Burchick is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard John Burchick was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location