Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Officer Dick Howell succumbed to the effects of a gunshot wound sustained on April 11, 1908, while he and the North Fort Worth police chief investigated a shooting. Officer Howell had been in the city police station speaking with the chief when citizens alerted them to the shooting at Lake Street and 12th street (current day Texas Street).
As the two attempted to arrest the suspect, a struggle ensued, and the suspect was able to open fire with his shotgun. The chief was struck in the abdomen and seriously wounded. Officer Howell was struck in the thigh, causing a serious wound and shattering his bone. The suspect was then taken into custody by citizens.
The suspect was convicted of the murder of his son-in-law in 1908 and sentenced to be executed. It was reversed on appeal in 1909. He was convicted a second time for 75 years, and it was appealed to five years in 1911. He accepted a two-year sentence in 1914.
The leg wound Officer Howell received was enough to cause his leg to be amputated. During the following years, Officer Howell suffered several strokes as a result of the wound and amputation. Despite his serious medical conditions, he was appointed Night Sergeant for North Fort Worth and continued in the position after the city was annexed by Fort Worth in 1910. He eventually succumbed to his wound on September 30, 1927.
Officer Howell had served in law enforcement for a total of 25 years. He had served with the North Fort Worth Police Department, Fort Worth and Denver Railroad Police, and Fort Worth Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six stepchildren, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F68E3C16- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Special Officer Howell gave the North Fort Worth Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Howell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer Richard D. Howell 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At North Fort Worth 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 D. Howell's cause is highlighted.
How Richard D. Howell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard D. Howell is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard D. Howell was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Fort Worth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
