Roll of Honor
Richard J. Posey
Incident
Officers Richard Posey and William Davis were shot and killed after being ambushed in the police department's parking lot. After patroling the town, the officers went back to the station around 2:00 a.m. When Officer Davis exited the patrol car, he was shot. Officer Posey ran around the vehicle to see what happened, he was also shot. Both officers were shot in the back. They were found around 3:00 am. A 28-year-old man was arrested at his home and charged with their murders. The victim officers had charged him with driving with a revoked license two months earlier. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms on March 25, 1974. Officer Posey had served with the Kennett Square Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-A3266AB2- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Posey gave the Kennett Square Borough Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kennett Square community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Posey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Richard J. Posey 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 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kennett Square Borough 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 J. Posey's cause is highlighted.
How Richard J. Posey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard J. Posey is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard J. Posey was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kennett Square Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
