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Incident
Sergeant Richard Betters suffered a fatal heart attack after evacuating residents from a burning building. After the evacuation he remained on scene and assisted with the investigation.
He completed his shift, which involved attending the funeral of a police department employee, before returning home. He suffered a heart attack overnight.
Sergeant Betters had served with the Portland Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Betters gave the Portland Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Betters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Portland Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in ME, 16.3% of the 86 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 2009, 1 officer in ME was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 2.
In 2009, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2009, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 52. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 57.8; the middle age was 52. Richard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Richard was 52. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 52. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths in ME; November holds the most, 35.7%. Wednesdays: 7.1%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Portland Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 16.3% of all 86 deaths in ME, the 3rd 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
Portland Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Portland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
