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Incident
Patrolman John Tibbs was shot and killed after surprising suspects planning a burglary of a clothing store in the 700 block of West Broad Street. His body was located in the vacant store building after failing to check in with dispatchers at 5 pm. Investigators found a hole in the wall of the vacant building leading to the clothing store, and they believe the suspects were watching the store, planning to rob it. The suspects were never identified. Patrolman Tibbs had been with the Richmond Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, son, father, sister, and brother.
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.
Patrolman Tibbs gave the Richmond Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tibbs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richmond Police Department has lost 40 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1940, 1 officer at Richmond Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1940, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 37. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Richmond Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 44; the middle age was 39. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
John was 37. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 37. 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. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Richmond Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 45%.
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 40 deaths at Richmond Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Richmond Police Department has 40 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Thomas Kirkham Jul 1, 1869
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Richard O. Busch Mar 20, 1870
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James T. Cox Apr 27, 1870
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James M. Carter Apr 27, 1870
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William R. Cray Apr 27, 1870
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John Kerr Apr 27, 1870
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Michael McCarthy Apr 27, 1870
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John P. Meagher Apr 27, 1870
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Joseph Anderson Seay Apr 27, 1870
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Julius Schultz
Apr 27, 1870
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Donald G. Tourgee Apr 27, 1870
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James M. Walker Apr 27, 1870
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Robert D. Austin
Apr 11, 1898
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John F. Shinberger
Jul 3, 1904
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Gerald M. Harmon
Aug 24, 1919
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Washington Irving Curtis
Aug 21, 1921
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J. Harvey Burke
Jul 28, 1925
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Louis Foster Bertucci
Aug 9, 1925
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Bennie F. Williams
Oct 31, 1931
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William A. Toot
Sep 30, 1934
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Horace C. Parker
Apr 3, 1935
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William A. Moore
Nov 2, 1935
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William Stephen Snead
Feb 5, 1937
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John A. Tibbs
Oct 20, 1940
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Marvin Luther Farmer
Jul 18, 1942
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John Henry Posenau
Nov 14, 1952
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Clifton Hawes White
Aug 19, 1954
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James W. Crowder
Sep 5, 1957
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Luther K. Nuckols
Dec 8, 1962
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Raymond B. Smith
Oct 13, 1968
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David A. Cooper
Feb 10, 1970
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Harry Charlton, III
Jun 25, 1971
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Vernon Leigh Jarrelle, Jr.
Aug 1, 1973
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Leaward Robert Rich
Dec 13, 1974
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Edwin Hugh Stephenson, Jr.
Dec 13, 1974
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E. Allen Wakefield
Sep 27, 1975
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Michael P. Connors
Nov 13, 1979
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George Ronald Taylor
Jun 15, 1986
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Thomas Francis McMahon
Oct 14, 1998
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Douglas Edward Wendel
Jul 30, 2003
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
