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Incident
Sergeant Richard Lawrence was responding to a domestic call when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He had arrested a female subject following a brief struggle. He placed the woman in his patrol car and then went back into the home to check on the welfare of several children when he began having difficulty breathing and collapsed. Sergeant Lawrence had served with the LaPorte Police Department for 16 years.
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.
Sergeant Lawrence gave the LaPorte Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the LaPorte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lawrence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
LaPorte Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 24 officers lost to cardiac events in IN, 4.8% of the 503 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 1988, 1 officer in IN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 2.
In 1988, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1988, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 45. Of the 24 lost to cardiac events in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 52; the middle age was 49. Richard had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 45. 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 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 45. 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 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Fridays: 8.3%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at LaPorte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
His people
LaPorte Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from LaPorte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
