Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Kirk was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect on a warrant. As Sheriff Kirk approached the suspect the suspect drew a gun and fired killing Sheriff Kirk. Sheriff Kirk was able to return fire at the same time and kill the suspect. Sheriff Kirk had served with the agency for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by mother and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-C561250E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Kirk gave the Young County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Graham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Richard Kirk is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Young County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 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 Kirk's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Kirk Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by Sheriff Kirk
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Kirk is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Kirk was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Young County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
