U.S. Army · United States 
Richard Louis Fortin
1987
Richard L. Fortin served the U.S. Army for 3 years. Richard served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Police Officer Richard Fortin drowned at 3:38 p.m. while attempting to rescue four people from a boat that had capsized in the Detroit River outside Detroit's Renaissance Center. He was wearing a wetsuit during the rescue but did not have on breathing apparatus. The four people in the capsized boat were rescued by nearby boaters. Officer Fortin had served with the Detroit Police Department for 23 years and was a member of the department's volunteer diving team.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and mother.
Service Record
U.S. Army
1961 – 1963
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
Detroit Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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