Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Richard,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Alamogordo. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

September 2, 2024

Rest in peace Public Safety Officer Richard.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 4, 2020

Rest In Peace

Nick mottola
None

September 2, 2020

I remember this accident well, went to school with Bruce. It was a horrible accident which took the lives of two great people.

Regina Colbert
Friend of Bruce Richard

September 3, 2016

32 years ago today my aunt Norma Sutherland and her partner police officer Bruce Richard were working as EMTs when they were hit by an impaired driver of an 18-wheeler while treating an injured patient on the side of a pitch black highway just outside of Alamogordo, NM. At the time it was the worst EMT accident in the history of the New Mexico. Bruce died that night and my aunt did too, but she was revived. She lived with horrific injuries until her death in 1996. We miss these brave souls and we are sad to hear that on this anniversary another Alamogordo officer has had his life taken while protecting the streets. Rest in peace Officer Clint Corvinus. His family will be surrounded with love there, the people of Alamogordo were so good to us during our time of grief. :( Miss you Aunt Norma every day... We will never forget you officers... we are honored at how you lived your life. Thank you

Donna Ikard
Niece of Norma Sutherland

September 3, 2016

Bruce beat my running time at the law enforcement academy. Bruce beat my driving time at the law enforcement academy.
Bruce would often beat me in responding to calls, which cost me more than one meal at the end of our three day shift.
Bruce beat me to Heaven.
The time I spent with Bruce as my district partner and with Norma on Fire Duty are precious memories.
I love you man. I will always carry the commitment you and Norma had for life close to my heart. I will see you again...when I get to Heaven. Man...what a time we will have.

ADPS Officer Bob Heisinger
Former ADPS Officer

September 11, 2014

Officer Richard,
Sir, even though it's been over 29 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Alamogordo. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 17, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 28, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 27, 2013

All the respect in the world to officer Bruce Richard and Norma Sutherland for their sacrifice. They will not be forgotten. We carry your names with great respect and we will continue to tell the world of your bravery.
~Donna Kout Ikard, Niece of Norma Sutherland
(story & link with pictures below)



Family honors painful anniversary with well wishes for public safety officers this Labor Day Weekend

This Labor Day weekend marks the 25th anniversary of one of the worst accidents in the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety history. What began as a routine call of minor injuries on a highway just outside of town would bring the devastating events that took the lives of two of Alamogordo’s finest.

On this particular evening Bruce Richard and his partner Norma Sutherland reported for duty as emergency medical technicians for the City of Alamogordo. As EMTs they were aware of the risks they took to protect and serve their community. On this night, as they buttoned their uniforms, shined their shoes and straightened their badges they had no idea the tragedy that lay before them.

Sometime after 2:00 a.m. on September 2, 1984 a call came in for an accident off U.S. Highway 70 West which set in motion the last call that the two EMTs would ever respond to. A car accident near the Nashville West bar had occurred after closing time and someone had a broken leg. EMTs Bruce Richard and Norma Sutherland responded to the scene and were in the process of accessing and stabilizing the injured person. Unfortunately, a communication error left the two EMTs vulnerable and alone out on this dark stretch of road as proper backup personnel with flares to mark off the road was not notified in time to properly light the accident scene.

Miles up the road an 18-wheeler traveling at high speeds with an impaired driver was quickly approaching the site of the accident. Later the driver said he could see the ambulance lights but the highway was dark and it looked as though the accident was on the side of the road, not in the middle of the road, so he continued traveling toward the scene at his accelerated speed.

The 18-wheeler barreled toward the scene and it was too late for Officers Richard and Sutherland who stood in the center of the dimly lit highway. The driver of the semi-truck hit the brakes in an effort to miss the EMTs and their ambulance but he was traveling too fast. His rig jack-knifed and the 18-wheeler trailer drove into Bruce Richard and Norma Sutherland who were carrying a gurney to care for the victim they were responding to.

Officer Bruce Richard, who was only 25 years old at the time, died instantly. His partner, Officer Norma Sutherland, who was 28 years old, received multiple injuries including a severe head injury and was revived not only once but twice that night. She was significantly impaired after the accident and lived out the rest of her life among family in Las Cruces until 1996 when she died of complications from the injuries sustained in the Labor Day weekend accident in 1984.

Bruce Richard was not only an EMT but also a police officer for the city of Alamogordo. He had planned a career for himself in public service that was left unfulfilled. He attended Police Basic Recruit, Fire Apparatus, Firemanship 1, Chemical Agents, and Baton and as an emergency medical technician Officer Richard received an honorable service award for his on-duty efforts. Clearly his loss was felt greatly among the local force.

Norma Sutherland had worked for the department for nearly ten years, since November 1, 1974. She started as a dispatcher, worked in the records department as a secretary, then took EMT training and worked on the ambulance as an EMT. At the time of her accident her department was anticipating sending her to the Police Academy the following year. She was well on her way to a great career in public service as she always dreamt of having.

After the accident the City of Alamogordo held fundraisers and benefits for the families of the fallen officers. Our families received much support in our time of grief and devastation. We want to thank the cities of Alamogordo and Las Cruces for their support. We also want to thank former Alamogordo City Commissioner Don Cooper and others who worked tirelessly to have Fire Station No. 6 on Florida Street dedicated to Norma Sutherland for her years of service and Fire Station No. 4 on Tenth Street dedicated to Bruce Richard.

We remember Norma on this anniversary as the beautiful and courageous woman that she was. We miss her shy side, her humor and her ambition. It was Norma’s compassion for others that led her into the field of public service. Sadly, she was taken from us too early and the pain of the events of that night will live with us forever. More importantly her light will shine in us for an eternity. We miss her every day but we are honored at how she lived her life. She accomplished so much in her short life and taught us many things. One way her compassionate spirit lives on is through her younger brother James McCollum who has served the City of Alamogordo in many capacities including volunteer firefighter, EMT and currently as medical examiner.

We want to offer support to all of the families of all New Mexico Public Safety Officers. You too sacrifice your loved one every time he or she puts on their uniform and reports for duty with a promise to protect and serve.

This Labor Day weekend our family would like to say, be careful out there. Look out for the police officers, ambulance drivers, firemen and all public safety officers. If you see them this weekend, say thank you, buy them a cup of coffee or a sandwich or just slow down a bit. Most importantly just make sure you have a safe ride home. It matters.

Article written by:
–Donna Kout Ikard (niece of Norma Sutherland)

Donna Kout Ikard
EMS Officer Norma Sutherland's Niece

March 6, 2011

Officer Richard,

As I think of a very close friend who lives in Alamo, I find myself reading about the sacrifice made for the citizens you served. God Bless You, and thank you for your service. You are a hero.

JL Thorpe
NC Highway Patrol

September 24, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 13, 2007

Thank you for your service, Ofc. Richard.

Citizen
Grand Rapids, MI

August 4, 2007

I did not have the honor of knowing you, but my father did and he said you were a great man. Thank you for your tour, and dedication. Adam Mackewich

Adam Mackewich
OCSO

January 20, 2006

I will never forget you. I will never forget Norma Sutherland who was with you during this terrible event. You and Norma will live in my memory until the day I am called by God.

Retired Captain Michael R. Mirabal
Alamogordo Department of Public Safety

September 28, 2005

Officer Richard,
On today, the 21st anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Alamogordo.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 2, 2005