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Incident
Patrolman Richard Becker was shot and killed while investigating reports of a suspicious person near a bar on State Route 170 at 1:20 a.m. Patrolman Becker was on patrol when he pulled into the bar parking lot. A patron then told him of a suspicious man in the rear of the bar. Patrolman Becker started checking the area on foot but walked past the suspect without seeing him because of the darkness. When Patrolman Becker was about 20 feet away from the man, the original complainant yelled out that the man was behind him. When Patrolman Becker turned around, he was shot in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun. The suspect fled the scene. Patrolman Becker was transported to South Side Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds approximately one hour later. The suspect fled to Winchester, Virginia, where he committed suicide the following day. Patrolman Becker had served with the Poland Township Police Department for over four years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. In December 2017, Route 170 in Mahoning County was renamed the Poland Township Police Officer Richard E. Becker Memorial Highway.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolman Becker gave the Poland Township Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Poland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Becker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Poland Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 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 1983, 5 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 36. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 36. 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 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 36. 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 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Poland Township Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Poland Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Poland Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
