Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Patrolman

Richard P. Dupre

Sturbridge Police Department — Sturbridge, MA

Felonious

End of Watch September 15, 1979

Age 26

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Richard Dupre was struck and killed by a drunk driver while working a traffic detail on Route 20, between Main Street and Burgess School Road. The drunk driver was attempting to pass another car in a no-passing zone at the time. The driver fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. The suspect received only a minimal sentence and was released from jail within one year. Patrolman Dupre was a former Explorer for the Sturbridge Police Department and had served as an officer with the agency for six years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-22CCAD49
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Dupre gave the Sturbridge Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sturbridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dupre.

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

Agency

Department Sturbridge Police Department

Location Sturbridge, MA

Platform Identity sturpd.worcester.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 15, 1979

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Released

Patrolman Richard P. Dupre 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

Sturbridge Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard P. Dupre's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Richard P. Dupre Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Released

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard P. Dupre is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard P. Dupre was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518