Prev
Incident
Sergeant Richard Lopez was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect near Stagecoach Trail and Red Rock Lane in Cordes Lake at about 12:45 pm.
He had responded to the area to investigate a theft and located the suspect nearby. The man shot him before fleeing into a nearby residence and barricading himself inside.
Sergeant Lopez was transported to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was taken into custody after remaining barricaded in the home for several hours. He has been charged with murder.
Sergeant Lopez had served with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmmr6ky5crmnj14112xq- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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.
Sergeant Lopez gave the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Prescott community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lopez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 1 officer at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2022, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 51. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 51; the middle age was 50. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Richard was 51. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 33.3% of these deaths at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
June holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Tuesdays: 15.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yavapai County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
