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Richard B. Vail
Incident
Deputy Richard Vail suffered a fatal heart attack as he and another deputy struggled with a prisoner in the county's traffic court.
The 20-year-old prisoner, who had been charged with reckless driving, had begun arguing and fighting with other prisoners. As both deputies attempted to calm the man down, Deputy Vail was struck by the prisoner and moments later, he collapsed.
The prisoner was charged with assault and battery.
Deputy Vail had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office for nearly 1½ years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son and brother.
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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Vail gave the Cook County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Vail.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 45 officers lost to cardiac events in IL, 3.4% of the 1,318 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, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer in IL was lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 3.
In 1969, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1969, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 63. Of the 45 lost to cardiac events in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54; the middle age was 51. Richard had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Richard was 63. 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 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 63. 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 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 15.6% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 17.8%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.4% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services has 8 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services are honored on badge.nw.
