The Tragic Killing of Deputy Marshal: A Friend, A Hero, A Mystery

 

West Palm Beach, Fl - In the quiet hours of a 1982 October morning in Firestone, Colorado, a moment of duty turned into a nightmare for former law enforcement officer and paramedic David J. Brown.

“He wasn’t just a fellow cop,” Brown recalls in a gripping new podcast episode from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. “Rick was my friend. He was family to me. And what happened to him… it changed everything.”

The episode dives deep into the tragic story of Deputy Town Marshal Richard E. Hart and the haunting mystery that followed.

A Routine Call That Changed Lives

Deputy Hart, a respected part-time officer, responded to a car accident. When Hart leaned into a vehicle to retrieve the keys from the driver, tragedy struck. The driver accelerated, dragging Hart across the pavement. Gravely injured, Hart was airlifted to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Hart, a Vietnam veteran, father of two, and part-time officer, left a lasting impact on the small town and law enforcement community.

Justice Denied?

The driver, heavily intoxicated and with a suspended license, was released on a $2,000 bond the same day. The suspect fled, sparking a years-long manhunt. Charges mounted, but the suspect stayed out of reach until his body was found near Weber Reservoir in Nevada, dead by suicide.

Hart’s Legacy Lives On

Richard E. Hart was more than a badge and uniform. He served as a military policeman in Vietnam and balanced his life between trucking and law enforcement. The Firestone community rallied around Hart's family after his death, organizing “Heart to Hart Day” to raise over $21,000 for his son's medical needs.

Memorials and Memory

Decades later, Hart’s name is etched into law enforcement memorials across Colorado and Washington, D.C. The town dedicated Hart Park in his honor, ensuring new generations would know the sacrifice behind the name.

Sharing the Pain, Preserving the Truth

David J. Brown shares Hart’s story as part of his healing and to spotlight the weight law enforcement officers carry. The podcast is a tribute, a call to reflection, and a personal look into grief, service, and justice delayed.

You can listen to the full episode "A Friend Police Officer Was Murdered: The Mystery" for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or most anywhere you get your podcasts.

Attributions

David J. Brown Books

Amazon 

ODMP.ORG

Town of Firestone Co

 



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