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Richard Rudy Raczkoski
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard Raczkoski was shot and killed at 3 a.m. while checking on a suspicious person using a pay phone in front of a closed convenience store at 8200 20th Street in Vero Beach. While waiting for a cab to pick the suspect up, a handgun fell from his pants. The suspect picked up the handgun and shot Deputy Raczkoski five times in the back as the deputy attempted to take cover behind his patrol car. The suspect was apprehended in Albany two days later. An ex-convict who had been out of prison for five months, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Deputy Raczkoski had served with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and fiancée.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Raczkoski gave the Indian River County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vero Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Raczkoski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Indian River County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 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 1986, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 29. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard was 29. 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 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 29. 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 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Indian River County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Indian River County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Indian River County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
