On Wednesday, September 6, 1989, Deputy Richard Blackwell was spending his morning as a motorcycle escort for a funeral procession. As Deputy Blackwell approached West 27th street southbound on Ella, the driver of another vehicle pulled into his path from a stop sign. Deputy Blackwell died from the collision as a result of massive chest injuries. Deputy Blackwell was 25 years old at the time of his death and the 21st deputy to die in the line of duty.