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Incident
Sergeant Richard Willson suffered a fatal heart attack following a foot chase and being assaulted. After catching the suspect he was struck in the chest with a crowbar. He returned to headquarters and while doing the arrest paperwork he began to feel sick. He was escorted to the hospital by another officer, at which time he was transferred to second hospital for more tests. En route to the second hospital he suffered the heart attack at approximately 2:30 am. Sergeant Willson had served with the agency for just over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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.
Sergeant Willson gave the Mineral County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hawthorne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Willson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Richard is the only officer of Mineral County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Richard is one of 9 officers lost to cardiac events in NV, 6.2% of the 146 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 1994, 1 officer in NV was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1994, 8 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1994, 8 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 45. Of the 9 lost to cardiac events in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 58; the middle age was 51. Richard had served 3.2 years; the middle length of service was 3.2 years.
Richard was 45. 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 3.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 45. 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 3.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 33.3% of these deaths in NV, more than any other month. Mondays: 22.2%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Mineral County Sheriff's Office.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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