Kern County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Friday, March 3, 1989
Add to My HeroesRichard Robert McHale
Deputy Rick McHale was killed after being beaten and shot at a family disturbance call at 303 Decatur Street in Oildale at 6 pm.
The mentally ill suspect attacked Deputy McHale, beat him with his baton, and then shot him with his service weapon. The man then committed suicide.
Deputy McHale was taken to Kern Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds the next afternoon.
Deputy McHale was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He was survived by his wife, mother, father, and brother.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Thursday, March 2, 1989
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 45 ReflectionsI worked with Rick. Being in the escort vehicle at his funeral with Peter B.
Always remembered brother.
Detective Don Morton (retired)
Kern County Sheriff's Department
July 14, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026

