Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Leaward Rich and Patrolman Edwin Stephenson were killed in an automobile crash while en route to assist another officer who was chasing a stolen car. During their response at 12:30 a.m., in an attempt to avoid another car in the intersection, the unmarked police car left the roadway. It struck a tree at Brook Street and Westwood Avenue, causing fatal injuries to both officers. Patrolman Rich was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Richmond Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, fiancee, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-C26F3C48- 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 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 Rich gave the Richmond Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leaward Robert Rich served in the Air Force (1965â1968) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Leaward Robert Rich is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
At Richmond Police Department, 17 of 40 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leaward Robert Rich's cause is highlighted.
How Leaward Robert Rich Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Leaward Robert Rich is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
