Incident
Patrolman Richard Burchick succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while involved in a foot pursuit of a drive-by shooting suspect. He was shot at the intersection of East 21st Street and East Avenue. The subject was convicted of third degree murder. Patrolman Burchick had served with the Erie Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Burchick gave the Erie Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Erie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burchick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Erie Police Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1991, 1 officer at Erie Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1949, with 2.
In 1991, 2 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 39. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Erie Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 42.5; the middle age was 40. Richard had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Richard was 39. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 39. 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 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 39. 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 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Erie Police Department; November holds the most, 42.9%. Wednesdays: 28.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Erie Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Erie Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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James Higgins
May 14, 1905
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John T. Grant
Nov 22, 1912
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George William Schneider Oct 13, 1918
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Joseph John Jurcak Oct 16, 1918
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Richard V. Mahoney
Oct 31, 1928
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Leo Jonas Waldinger
Nov 26, 1949
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Walter Rynold May
Nov 30, 1949
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Samuel Angelo Macrino
Apr 8, 1962
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Melvin LeRoy Wilcox
May 4, 1979
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Robert Glen Owen
Dec 29, 1980
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Donald William Parker, Jr.
May 23, 1985
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Richard John Burchick
Feb 6, 1991
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Jason Michael Belton
Oct 24, 2021
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Gary Robert Taccone
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Erie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.










