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Incident
Officer Bruce Richard was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer at the scene of an accident. Officer Richard, and his EMT partner Officer Norma Sutherland, was standing at the rear of an ambulance that had responded to the other accident when a tractor-trailer jack-knifed and struck both officers. Officer Richard was killed, the Officer Sutherland initially survived her injuries but died later due to complications from the accident.
Survivors
Officer Richard had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Public Safety Officer Richard gave the Alamogordo Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alamogordo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Public Safety Officer Richard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alamogordo Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Bruce is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce 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 1984, 3 officers in NM were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bruce was 25. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 25. 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. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.9% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Sundays: 10.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Alamogordo Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alamogordo Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bruce among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Alamogordo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
