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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Melvin Richardson succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision with a harvesting combine on Highway 275 near 260th Street.
At 12:35 pm, the combine was traveling southbound on Highway 275. Deputy Richardson was driving northbound when his vehicle collided with the combine. The combine was wider than the lane, and Deputy Richardson's left front tire collided with the machine.
Deputy Richardson had served with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office for seven years and had previously served as the Chief of Police with the Sidney Police Department for four years, the Auburn Police Department for three years, and a reserve deputy with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Richardson gave the Fremont County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sidney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Richardson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fremont County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Austin is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Austin is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Austin is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 1 officer in IA was lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Austin was 37. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Austin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Austin was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Austin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Austin was 37. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Austin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.9% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Fremont County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fremont County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Austin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fremont County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
