Richard John Landes
Agency patch
Deputy

Richard John Landes

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office — West Palm Beach, FL
Felonious
End of Watch April 18, 1981
Age 26
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Richard Landes was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while he was assisting others in removing a vehicle from a canal at the intersection of Summit Boulevard and Military Trail. He and the tow truck driver were struck as they stood next to the car after it was pulled from the canal. The 34-year-old driver of the vehicle that struck him was charged with reckless driving, drunk driving, and manslaughter. In 1984 the driver was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six months in jail. He was told he could get his license back when he completed an alcohol abuse treatment program. Deputy Landes had previously served with the Belle Glade Police Department.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-2098FCBB
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Landes served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the West Palm Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Landes.

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

Agency

Location West Palm Beach, FL
Platform Identity pbcso.palmbeach.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 18, 1981
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to 6 months

Deputy Richard John Landes 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.4% of this agency's fallen.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
7
of 23 officers
30.4% Felonious
FL — Statewide
539
of 1,008 officers
53.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Richard John Landes Compares

Age at End of Watch
26
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 6 months

When Felonious Deaths Occur

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

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard John Landes was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location