The DEA Honor Roll
Official Line of Duty Deaths
Richard D. Arundell
Rank: Detective
Shield Number: 251
Command: 017 Detective Division
Date of Death: 02/09/1963
Cause of Death: L.O.D. Heart Attack
On February 8,1963 at about 11:00 pm both Det. Arundell and his partner spotted a car run a red light at the intersection of Woodhaven Blvd and 62nd Road. Both Det. Arundell and his partner followed the vehicle. A short time later both occupants abandoned the vehicle and took off on foot. Det. Arundell’s partner fired three warning shots and shouted for the two thieves to stop. About 2 ½ blocks later Det. Arundell felt severe chest pains but he and his partner nabbed one of the perpetrators a short distance away. The other individual was picked up at his home. Det. Arundell was admitted to the hospital and died a short time later. Doctors attributed his death to the above incident.
Det. Arundell was appointed to the NYPD on June 16, 1951 He was 36 and left behind a wife and four children, ages 2 through 8. Det. Arundell lived in Rosedale.