Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 25, 1981
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: 4797
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 25, 1981
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Released in 2018
Patrolman Richard Miller was shot and killed by an auto-theft suspect at 15th and Girard Avenue North.
Patrolman Miller had requested backup but confronted the suspects before the backup arrived. As he talked to a female passenger the male driver exited the stolen vehicle and opened fire, striking Patrolman Miller in the chest several times. The gun the suspect was using was a stolen police revolver.
The suspect was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. He was granted work-release status in July 2018.
Patrolman Miller had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.