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Richard Terence Dever
Incident
Corrections Sergeant Richard Dever was stabbed to death while assisting in removing a customer from a bar at 85 Main Street in Boston, from which he had been banned.
Sergeant Dever was off duty at the time but recognized the subject as a former problem inmate at the South Bay Correctional Facility, where he worked. He had been released three weeks earlier after serving a term for armed robbery since 1993. As he attempted to convince the man to leave the bar, the subject produced a knife and stabbed him in the chest and face several times, killing him.
The subject, 30, a known EDP, was taken into custody. On December 30, 2006, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On September 30, 2021, he was denied a new trial.
Sergeant Dever had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
Survivors include his parents and two brothers.
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.
Corrections Sergeant Dever gave the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Sergeant Dever.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 35. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Richard was 35. 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. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 12.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 2.5% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Suffolk County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Suffolk County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
