A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered
A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. Special Episode. In a Free Podcast episode now streaming on Apple, Spotify, and shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, former law enforcement officer and paramedic David J. Brown opened up about a tragedy that has haunted him for decades, the 1982 murder of his friend and co-worker, Deputy Town Marshal Richard E. Hart.
“This wasn’t just a fellow officer,” Brown shared. “Rick was a true friend, a devoted family man, and someone who represented the best of what it means to serve.” It is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms.
A Routine Traffic Stop Turns Tragic
The heartbreaking incident took place in the early hours of October 16, 1982, in the small town of Firestone, Colorado. Hart and another officer were patrolling when they responded to the sound of a nearby car accident. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Hart approached a car, suspected of fleeing the scene while the driver appeared intoxicated. As Hart leaned into the vehicle to retrieve the keys, the driver sped off, dragging Hart along the pavement. He sustained massive head injuries and was airlifted to a Hospital in Englewood. Despite all efforts, Hart died two days later. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery.
He was just 34 years old, a Vietnam veteran, a father of two, and a respected part-time officer with the Firestone Police Department. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin .
The Manhunt and the Mystery
The suspect, was arrested that same morning, hiding in the weeds not far from the abandoned car. Despite his .20% blood alcohol content, a history of DUIs, and a recent license suspension, he was released on a $2,000 bond, posting just $200 through a bail bondsman.
“That’s when the nightmare deepened,” Brown said. “How someone like him could walk out of jail the same day he put a police officer on life support, it just didn’t make sense.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
The suspect disappeared shortly after being released. A multi-state manhunt followed. Despite FBI involvement and multiple added charges, including vehicular homicide, habitual offender, and failure to appear, the suspect remained elusive. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery.
The answer to this enduring mystery came nearly five years later, when the suspect's body was found near Weber Reservoir in Nevada. He had committed suicide with a .38 caliber revolver. His note left no mention of Officer Hart. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
“He ran for years,” said Brown. “But he couldn’t outrun his guilt. The impact of what he did never left him, just as the consequences never left Rick’s family or the rest of us.”
A Life of Service
Born in the Midwest, Richard Hart served as a Military Policeman in Vietnam before beginning his law enforcement career in Duncan, Oklahoma. In the mid-70s, he moved to Colorado, balancing work as a tank truck driver and part-time police officer.
Firestone Marshal Tony Onorato, Sr., personally recruited Hart in 1977 due to his exceptional record. Known for his humility and dedication, Hart quickly became a pillar of the Firestone Police Department. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery.
Hart was also a devoted husband to and father. His youngest son, was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, requiring multiple surgeries. The tragedy galvanized the community. A benefit event named “Heart to Hart Day” raised over $21,000, helping fund his son's treatments. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium and most all social media platforms.
Honoring His Legacy
Over the years, former and current Firestone Police Chiefs, including Steve Modrell and David L. Montgomery, have worked tirelessly to ensure that Officer Hart’s sacrifice is never forgotten.
His name is etched on memorials at:
Bittersweet Park, Weld County
Colorado State Patrol Academy
Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial
National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
In 2002, the town dedicated Hart Park at 4th & Jackson in his honor. It was later rededicated in 2012 for future generations to remember his legacy. A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast website, also available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast outlets.
“His story is a reminder of what law enforcement officers risk every single day,” Brown said. “Rick didn’t have to be working that night, he volunteered. He always did the right thing. Always.”
Sharing the Story
David J. Brown, who has authored numerous books some on policing and trauma, says the murder of his friend remains a defining moment in his life. He has made it a mission to share Hart’s story.
“I tell this story not just to honor Rick,” Brown said, “but to spotlight how our justice system can fail, how communities can rise, and how trauma can stay with you for decades. People need to hear this, not just as news, but as a personal journey.” A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery.
Listeners can learn more by tuning in to the free podcast, available now on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and promoted across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Deputy Marshal Richard E. Hart gave his life protecting his community. Decades later, his courage, sacrifice, and the mystery that followed continue to resonate, thanks in large part to the friends who refuse to let him be forgotten.
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A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered, The Mystery.
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