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Richard Wayne Hale
Incident
Deputy Inspector General Richard Hale was killed in a vehicle crash on FM 51, north of Decatur, Texas.
He was returning to Gainesville, Texas, following a meeting with state prosecutors in Decatur. His department vehicle collided with an oncoming tractor-trailer.
Deputy Inspector General Hale had served in law enforcement for 16 years. He had served with the Decatur Police Department before joining the Texas Juvenile Justice Department - Office of Inspector General.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and eight children.
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.
Deputy Inspector General Hale gave the Texas Juvenile Justice Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Inspector General Hale.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richard is the only officer of Texas Juvenile Justice Department - Office of Inspector General remembered here.
Richard is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 2018, 4 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 46. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard was 46. 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. Richard had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Texas Juvenile Justice Department - Office of Inspector General.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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