Ricardo Michael Preston
Incident
Sergeant Ricardo Preston suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a SWAT team training exercise at Fort Meade, Maryland. He was navigating an obstacle course when he suddenly collapsed. Sergeant Preston had served with the United States Park Police for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, mother, stepfather, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Sergeant Preston gave the United States Department of the Interior 14 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Preston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police has lost 13 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Ricardo is one of 71 officers lost to cardiac events in DC, 5% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Ricardo is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ricardo is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 2 officers in DC were lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 48 years on record. The heaviest was 1945, with 3.
In 1988, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1988, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ricardo was 37. Of the 69 lost to cardiac events in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 51; the middle age was 46. Ricardo had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ricardo was 37. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ricardo had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ricardo was 37. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ricardo had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 9.9% of these deaths in DC; May holds the most, 12.7%. Thursdays: 16.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 15.4% of all 13 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police has 13 officers remembered here, Ricardo among them.
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William D. Allen
Nov 12, 1923
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William J. Grissam
Mar 20, 1932
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Milo John Kennedy
Aug 7, 1932
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James Francis Grove
Jan 28, 1933
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Carl Hestikind
Feb 18, 1936
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Ivan William Thompson
Jun 14, 1940
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Thomas Patrick Fogarty
Aug 6, 1941
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Joseph E. Shawhan
Apr 15, 1944
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Michael L. Petrella
Sep 25, 1965
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Raymond Leonard Hawkins
Feb 15, 1972
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Ricardo Michael Preston
Aug 11, 1988
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Hakim Azim Farthing
Aug 10, 2002
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Michael Andrew Boehm
Dec 16, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police are honored on badge.nw.











