Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Vadas G. Richardson

Kentucky Highway Patrol — Frankfort, KY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch October 7, 1944

Age 33

Tour of Duty 1 mo

Badge 168

The Vigil Panel 81 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 7

Incident

Patrolman Vadas Richardson was shot and killed when he stopped to render aid to a vehicle parked on the side of Highway 25 near London, Kentucky. As he approached the vehicle one of the occupants opened fire, striking him in the chest. Patrolman Richardson's partner and two deputies who had pulled up just before the shooting started returned fire. One of the deputies was also wounded. The subject, who was a convicted murderer on parole, was able to flee but committed suicide the following morning at his sister's home. Two other men were arrested and charged in connection with the murder. Patrolman Richardson was a WWII veteran and had served with the Kentucky Highway Patrol for only six weeks.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, mother, two sisters, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-226E7103
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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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Vadas is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Richardson served with the Kentucky Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Kentucky Highway Patrol

Type Highway Patrol

Location Frankfort, KY

Platform Identity khp.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 7, 1944

Tour of Duty 1 mo

Age 33

Badge Number 168

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Vadas G. Richardson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Vadas G. Richardson 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Kentucky Highway Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Kentucky Highway Patrol

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious