Lemoyne Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 11, 1989
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 13-4
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: July 11, 1989
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Arrested
Patrolman Richard Phelps was killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit.
He had joined a chase that came into his borough and was attempting to pass the vehicle. While entering a curve he ran off of the road and travelled until striking a steel barrier at a gas station gas island. Patrolman Phelps, who was not wearing his seat belt at the time, was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The juvenile suspect was arrested and sentenced to juvenile detention.
Patrolman Phelps was a U.S Army veteran of the Vietnam war and had served with the Lemoyne Borough Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his two daughters.