S. Vincent Anthony
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Incident
Deputy Eva was shot and killed after stopping an escapee. He had conducted a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle and recognized the driver as the escaped prisoner. After placing the suspect under arrest, the prisoner began to resist and during the scuffle managed to get Deputy Eva's weapon and fatally shot him. A conservation officer with Deputy Eva was shot and seriously wounded. He managed to crawl back to the patrol car and call for help. The dispatcher who took the call was Deputy Eva's wife. The 18-year-old suspect fled the scene, but was later apprehended. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He received an additional 20 years for attempted murder of the conservation officer and several other charges.
Survivors
Deputy Eva had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Eva gave the Lee County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Myers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Eva.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 1 officer at Lee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 28. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Lee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 31; the middle age was 28. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Richard was 28. 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 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard was 28. Of the 14,219 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 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office; March holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Lee County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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Richard Keith Eva
Feb 12, 1972
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Michael David Yahl
Mar 13, 1976
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Dwight Lynn Hall
Apr 11, 1979
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Ronald Lee Fewell
Mar 16, 1983
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Alfredo Banos
Jan 20, 2001
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Michael Shostak
Nov 8, 2001
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Patrick Joseph Healey
May 13, 2004
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Margena Silvia Nunez
Oct 22, 2006
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Steven William Mazzotta
Aug 16, 2021
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William Nelson Diaz
Aug 31, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
