Roll of Honor
Richard Rudy Raczkoski
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard Raczkoski was shot and killed at 3 a.m. while checking on a suspicious person using a pay phone in front of a closed convenience store at 8200 20th Street in Vero Beach. While waiting for a cab to pick the suspect up, a handgun fell from his pants. The suspect picked up the handgun and shot Deputy Raczkoski five times in the back as the deputy attempted to take cover behind his patrol car. The suspect was apprehended in Albany two days later. An ex-convict who had been out of prison for five months, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Deputy Raczkoski had served with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-9052D090- 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 Sheriff Raczkoski gave the Indian River County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vero Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Raczkoski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Richard Rudy Raczkoski 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 Indian River County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Rudy Raczkoski's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Rudy Raczkoski Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Rudy Raczkoski is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Rudy Raczkoski was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Indian River County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
