Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Richard Mendez was shot and killed at the Philadelphia International Airport's Garage D at about 11:00 p.m.
He and his partner arrived in the parking garage, preparing to start their shift, when they observed subjects breaking into a vehicle. As they approached the men, the subjects fired at them. Sergeant Mendez was struck multiple times, and his partner was shot in the arm.
Sergeant Mendez was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds at 11:34 p.m.
The suspects fled in a stolen vehicle. One of the suspects, who died from gunshot wounds, was dropped off at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The rest of the suspects remained at large until October 16, 2023, when an 18-year-old suspect and two others, ages 21, were arrested. In 2025, the 18-year-old was found guilty of first, second, and third-degree murder and other offenses and was sentenced to life in prison, followed by 25-50 years. One of the 21-year-olds was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder. Almost two years later, thirteen men were indicted for their involvement in a multi-state car theft ring, which was tied to Sergeant Mendez's death.
Sergeant Mendez had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for almost 23 years and was assigned to the Airport Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-F682A799- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Mendez gave the Philadelphia Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Mendez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Richard Carrero Mendez 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 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Carrero Mendez's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Carrero Mendez Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Carrero Mendez is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Carrero Mendez was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
