Roll of Honor
Richard H. Conklin
Incident
Patrolman Richard Conklin was shot and killed while assisting a local rescue squad transport a mentally ill patient at 12:45 p.m. While traveling on Stelton Road at Route 287, the patient, who was being restrained with wrist straps, was able to break free and ripped Patrolman Conklin's service weapon from its holster. He then shot Patrolman Conklin twice, killing him. The 22-year-old suspect was committed to a mental institution. Patrolman Conklin was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the South Plainfield Police Department for just over 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-4B01FD3B- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Richard is one person.
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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.
Patrolman Conklin gave the South Plainfield Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Plainfield 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 H. Conklin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Richard H. Conklin 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At South Plainfield Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard H. Conklin's cause is highlighted.
How Richard H. Conklin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard H. Conklin is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard H. Conklin was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Richard H. Conklin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard H. Conklin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Plainfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
