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Incident
Sheriff Richards was shot and killed while he and a state trooper served a lunacy warrant on a man living in a cave. As the officers approached the area, after walking several hundred yards from the road, the suspect noticed them and began to walk away. The officers identified the man and stated their intent. The man suddenly turned around and opened fire with a rifle, striking Sheriff Richards in the throat. Both officers were able to return fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Richards served with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grantsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Richards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Park is the only officer of Calhoun County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Park is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Park is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Park is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 5 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Park was 62. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Park was 62. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Park was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.1% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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