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Incident
Officer Richard Kunkle was killed in a motorcycle accident while attempting to stop a traffic violator. Another vehicle pulled out of a side street and Officer Kunkle was forced to take evasive action. He was thrown to the ground and received severe injuries. Officer Kunkle had been in law enforcement for a total of nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Officer Kunkle gave the Burbank Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burbank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Kunkle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Burbank Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 8 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 36. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 13.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Burbank Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 3.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Burbank Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Burbank Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
