Prev
Incident
Deputy Chief of Police Richard Ferguson suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to reports of another accident in the 5200 block of Churchman Avenue. He was responding to the fatal pedestrian crash when he suffered a heart attack, causing his patrol car to leave the roadway and strike a building at the intersection of Madison Avenue and National Avenue in Indianapolis. Deputy Chief Ferguson had served with the Beech Grove Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmvyg719ssj6311b340e- 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.
Deputy Chief of Police Ferguson gave the Beech Grove Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beech Grove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Chief of Police Ferguson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Beech Grove Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 44. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Richard was 44. 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. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Fridays: 17.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Beech Grove Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Beech Grove Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Beech Grove Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
