King County, Washington sheriff's Deputy Richard Herzog was killed in the line
of duty on June 22, 2002 when his firearm was taken from him during a struggle
and used to shoot him several times point blank.
Herzog was the only officer on duty responding to a scene where convicted felon Ronald Matthews
was standing naked in the middle of the road and blocking traffic on Coal Creek Parkway Southeast
in Newcastle, Washington. Herzog attempted to subdue Matthews with pepper spray
when his .40 caliber semi-automatic Glock was taken from his hands. He was shot as he attempted
to retreat backwards from his assailiant.
Herzog had been a member of the King County Sheriff's Department for seven years
and had previously served for 20 years in the Army Special Forces.
Herzog is survived by his wife and two teenage daughters. He was 46 years old.