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Incident
Police Officer David Riddlesperger suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to a domestic disturbance call involving a convicted felon with a gun.
Towards the end of his shift his patrol car left the roadway and struck a building along Decatur Highway at approximately 6:00 am. Several employees inside the of the building attempted to pull him from the vehicle but were unable to. Responding rescue units transported him to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Riddlesperger had served with the Fultondale Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Birmingham Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Riddlesperger gave the Fultondale Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fultondale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Riddlesperger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
David is the only officer of Fultondale Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 30 officers lost to cardiac events in AL, 4.7% of the 643 remembered there.
David is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 1 officer in AL was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 3.
In 2011, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2011, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
David was 48. Of the 29 lost to cardiac events in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 56; the middle age was 48. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
David was 48. 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. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
David was 48. 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. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Sundays: 30%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fultondale Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 3rd 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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