Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, Illinois
End of Watch: Thursday, March 13, 1969
Age: 63
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: March 13, 1969
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Charged with assault
Deputy Richard Vail suffered a fatal heart attack as he and another deputy struggled with a prisoner in the county's traffic court.
The 20-year-old prisoner, who had been charged with reckless driving, had begun arguing and fighting with other prisoners. As both deputies attempted to calm the man down, Deputy Vail was struck by the prisoner and moments later, he collapsed.
The prisoner was charged with assault and battery.
Deputy Vail had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office for nearly 1½ years. He was survived by his wife, son and brother.