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Incident
Lieutenant Richard Gould was shot and killed while working at the front desk at the police station in the City-County Complex at 3:00 pm. A mentally ill person entered the station and asked to speak to the watch commander. Lieutenant Gould took him to his office and spoke to him for about five minutes before the man suddenly pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and shot him in the head. The man then ran outside of the building and shot himself in the head. Lieutenant Gould had served with the Florence Police Department for 11-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Lieutenant Gould gave the Florence Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Gould.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florence Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1989, 1 officer at Florence Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Florence Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 49; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 9.2 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Florence Police Department; October holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Florence Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Florence Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Florence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
