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Incident
Lieutenant Richard Woods suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting other rescue personnel extricate several teenagers from a vehicle following a serious accident on Cogswell Avenue, at 5th Street, at approximately 4:30 pm.
Paramedics immediately began to render aid to Lieutenant Woods. He was transported to a local hospital where he passed away a short time later.
Lieutenant Woods had served with the Pell City Police Department for 20 years and was the commander of the Special Operations Division.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Woods gave the Pell City Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pell City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Woods.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Pell City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 30 officers lost to cardiac events in AL, 4.7% of the 643 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 2 officers in AL were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 3.
In 2015, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2015, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard 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. Richard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Richard 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. Richard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard 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. Richard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 3.3% of these deaths in AL; October holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Pell City Police Department, the most common cause.
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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Pell City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pell City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
