Roll of Honor
David Richard Van Curler
Incident
Police Officer Van Curler and Officer William Fletcher were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a local bank at 45th Street and Broadway. The bank manager had called after hours to report a man pounding on the doors and yelling to be let in. After arriving Officer Fletcher contacted the employees of the bank and then went to talk to the man who was still in front of the bank. The man continued to shout and cause a disturbance as Officer Fletcher tried to talk to him. Because portable radios were not used at the time, Officer Fletcher returned to his cruiser to call for backup. As Officer Fletcher completed his transmission, the man began walking towards him and met him at the curb. The man then struck him and knocked him down. During the ensuing struggle, the man gained control of Officer Fletcher's revolver and shot him twice. At that moment, Officer Van Curler arrived on his motorcycle. The man immediately opened fire, shooting through the motorcycle's windshield and striking Officer Van Curler in the chest. After walking over to Officer Van Curler, the man then attempted to shoot him again, but the gun was empty. He then took Officer Van Curler's weapon. Officer Fletcher had managed to get to his feet, but the suspect shot him again with Officer Van Curler's weapon, fatally wounding him. Other officers arrived on the scene and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was committed to a mental hospital where he later died. Officer Van Curler had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-2E3D8D30- 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.
Police Officer Van Curler gave the West Palm Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Palm Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Van Curler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer David Richard Van Curler 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 West Palm Beach Police Department, 5 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Richard Van Curler's cause is highlighted.
How David Richard Van Curler Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Richard Van Curler is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Richard Van Curler was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Palm Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
