Punta Gorda Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, October 10, 1978
Add to My HeroesRichard Leo Beecher
Assistant Chief Richard Beecher was struck and killed by a vehicle while manning a roadblock near the intersection of U.S. 17 and Washington Loop Road during the search of an escaped murderer from the Charlotte County Jail.
He had flagged down a truck and stepped up on the running board to speak to the driver. After questioning the driver, he stepped down off the running board and was struck by a passing motorist. Assistant Chief Beecher was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries a few hours later.
The escapee was arrested a short time later.
Assistant Chief Beecher had served with the Punta Gorda Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by vehicle
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
October 10, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024