Atlanta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Saturday, November 3, 2012
Add to My HeroesRichard Joseph Halford
Police Officers Richard Halford and Shawn Smiley were killed in a helicopter crash while assisting in the search for a missing 9-year-old boy at approximately 10:30 pm.
They were flying low over an area approximately four miles west of downtown when the Hughes OH-6A helicopter suddenly crashed to the ground near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Hamilton E. Holmes Drive. The helicopter exploded after impacting the ground. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.
The boy they were searching for was found safe a short time later.
Officer Halford had served with the Atlanta Police Department for 26 years and had been assigned as a pilot in the Air Unit for 16 years. He is survived by his daughter, parents, brother, and sister.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 26 years
- Badge 3788
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Police Officer Shawn Antonio Smiley
Atlanta Police Department, GA
EOW: November 3, 2012
Most Recent Reflection
View all 165 ReflectionsWow Richard I can't believe you've been gone 6 years. I miss you and my Joe so much. I remember when my Joe died you were among his many friends that came to support me. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. PS I know you in the heaven with my Joe acting the fool!
Evelyn J Davis
Widow and friend
June 7, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Constable Caleb Rule
Fort Bend County Constable's Office - Precinct 4, TX
EOW: May 29, 2020
Police Officer Cody Holte
Grand Forks Police Department, ND
EOW: May 27, 2020
Senior Detention Officer Alexander Pettiway
Durham County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: April 25, 2020
Trooper George Baker
Louisiana State Police, LA
EOW: May 24, 2020
Reserve Captain Raymond Andrew Boseman
New Orleans Police Department, LA
EOW: March 29, 2020
Officer Ching Kok "CK" Yan
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: May 16, 2020
Police Officer Francesco S. Scorpo
Paterson Police Department, NJ
EOW: April 12, 2020
Sergeant AlTerek Patterson
Bedminster Township Police Department, NJ
EOW: April 12, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Maser
Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: May 18, 2020