Richmond Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Friday, December 13, 1974
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: December 13, 1974
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Leaward Rich and Patrolman Edwin Stephenson were killed in an automobile crash while en route to assist another officer who was chasing a stolen car.
During their response the police car left the roadway and struck a tree at Brook Street and Westwood Avenue, causing fatal injuries to both officers.
Patrolman Rich was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Richmond Police Department for four years.