Who was Roy T Richter? Former NYPD union boss, 56, found dead at his home on wife's birthday
ARDSLEY, WESTCHESTER COUNTY: Former NYPD union head Roy T Richter, 56, died by suicide. The 56-year-old who was also a respected attorney was found dead on Tuesday, October 3, at Ardsley's McDowell Park in Westchester.
According to the Westchester Medical Examiner’s Office, Richter died from an "intra-oral gunshot wound." The tragic incident reportedly took place on his wife Maryanne's birthday, reports Daily Mail.
Inside Roy T Richter's 33 years of service in the NYPD
Before his retirement in January 2020 as Deputy Inspector of License Divison, Richter had served in the NYPD for an impressive 33 years.
For 12 years, he served as the chairman of the Captains Endowment Association union which has 780 active and 1,400 retired uniformed commanders in rank ranging from captain to deputy chief. Richter was elected to the position for three consecutive terms.
During his tenure, the 56-year-old man negotiated multi-year bargaining agreements which included a significant contract deal that added a 10 percent boost in terms of compensation for members.
At a 2014 press conference with the then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, Richter addressed a new contract for NYPD officers.
"The one thing that this agreement acknowledges is the service and the sacrifice that the members of this coalition give to the city of New York every day. We’re no better than any other city worker – we’re just a little bit different," he said at the time.
"And that difference is that when you go to work, you place your body on the line, you place your life on the line, you place your family in jeopardy, and you want to go home at the end of the day," Richter continued.
In addition to his role in the NYPD union, he chaired the Welfare Fund which focuses on providing medical benefits to 5,500 families. The fund also served as a trustee to the $32 Billion Police Pension Fund.
Law enforcement community mourns Roy Richter's death
Paying tribute to the former NYPD Captains Endowment Association, a law enforcement union official said, "Roy Richter was a consummate professional, highly respected across every rank in the NYPD and beyond."
"His positive impact on the lives of thousands of cops over the course of his union leadership will always be his legacy. He will be dearly missed," the official added.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 4, Maria Mammano, a member of the Board of Governors at the American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement, wrote, "Terrible news, Roy Richter has died. Say prayers for his soul and his family."