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David Richard Van Curler
Incident
Police Officer Van Curler and Officer William Fletcher were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a local bank at 45th Street and Broadway. The bank manager had called after hours to report a man pounding on the doors and yelling to be let in. After arriving Officer Fletcher contacted the employees of the bank and then went to talk to the man who was still in front of the bank. The man continued to shout and cause a disturbance as Officer Fletcher tried to talk to him. Because portable radios were not used at the time, Officer Fletcher returned to his cruiser to call for backup. As Officer Fletcher completed his transmission, the man began walking towards him and met him at the curb. The man then struck him and knocked him down. During the ensuing struggle, the man gained control of Officer Fletcher's revolver and shot him twice. At that moment, Officer Van Curler arrived on his motorcycle. The man immediately opened fire, shooting through the motorcycle's windshield and striking Officer Van Curler in the chest. After walking over to Officer Van Curler, the man then attempted to shoot him again, but the gun was empty. He then took Officer Van Curler's weapon. Officer Fletcher had managed to get to his feet, but the suspect shot him again with Officer Van Curler's weapon, fatally wounding him. Other officers arrived on the scene and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was committed to a mental hospital where he later died. Officer Van Curler had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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 Van Curler gave the West Palm Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Palm Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Van Curler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Palm Beach Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 2 officers at West Palm Beach Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 31. Of the 5 killed feloniously at West Palm Beach Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 54; the middle age was 34. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 31. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 31. 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. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 40% of these deaths at West Palm Beach Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 40%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at West Palm Beach Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10.3% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
West Palm Beach Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, David among them.
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William Morgan Payton
Feb 9, 1924
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Jack Grace Wadlington
Mar 31, 1935
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Lewis Allen Conner
Aug 7, 1937
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Festus Alvah Tatum, Jr.
Mar 28, 1959
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Clarence Leo Wagner
Feb 10, 1967
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William Harold Fletcher
Apr 6, 1967
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David Richard Van Curler
Apr 6, 1967
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Robert Dennis Edwards
Jan 21, 1984
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Brian Heywood Chappell
Aug 22, 1988
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Thomas Joseph Morash
Oct 17, 2003
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Robert Alan Williams
Aug 16, 2021
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Anthony Christopher Testa
Sep 25, 2021
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Jeremy Boykins
Sep 10, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Palm Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
