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Incident
Officer Richard Kurth succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was involved in an automobile accident while pursuing a stolen vehicle.
His patrol car went out of control when it struck a patch of dirt road while going around a curve. His vehicle slid into the path of an oncoming tour bus. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day.
Officer Kurth had served with the Tolleson Police Department for only 1 month.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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.
Police Officer Kurth served with the Tolleson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tolleson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kurth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tolleson Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1965, 1 officer in AZ was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 1965, 56 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1965, 70 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 74th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 24. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. Richard had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 24. 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 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 24. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 14.7% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.7%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Tolleson Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, 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
Tolleson Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tolleson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
