Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, September 23, 1986
Add to My HeroesRichard Rudy Raczkoski
Deputy Raczkoski was shot and killed at 3 a.m. while checking on a suspicious person using a pay phone in front of a closed convenience store at 8200 20th Street in Vero Beach.
While waiting for a cab to pick the suspect up, a handgun fell from his pants. The suspect picked up the handgun and shot Deputy Raczkoski five times in the back as the deputy attempted to take cover behind his patrol car.
The suspect was apprehended in Albany two days later. An ex-convict who had been out of prison for five months, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .380 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsMost of society lives in a world that doesn’t recognize what gives them the comfort they live in. Because of you, and people like you, society can live that way.
You put the badge on to make the community a better place. You put the badge on for justice. You put the badge on to save life. You put the badge on for the principles it represents. The badges didn’t make you a hero, the badge was worn by a hero. To your family, and the generations that follow, thank you for your service. Be proud of this man.
The sorrow we share as a law enforcement family is enormous, but our love of your life is even greater.
Sergeant Christian Yanchula
Forensic Services
Indian River County Sheriff's Office
September 23, 2022
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