In the winter of 1996, the life of 25-year-old Richard Lewis Cash, a White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On the evening of Wednesday, January 3rd, Patrolman Cash of the Forest Park Police Department was on duty, navigating the familiar streets of his community. He initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by two individuals at the intersection of Jonesboro Road and College Street. What began as a routine procedure would soon escalate into a violent and fatal encounter.
As Patrolman Cash engaged with the occupants of the vehicle, the passenger's suspicious behavior prompted him to call for backup. A lieutenant, who was nearby, quickly responded to the scene to assist. The two officers then attempted to question the passenger outside of the vehicle. During this interaction, the passenger suddenly assaulted Patrolman Cash, producing a small revolver. A struggle ensued, and the passenger fired multiple shots at Cash, inflicting mortal wounds. The passenger then turned his weapon on the lieutenant, who returned fire, striking the assailant.
Despite being wounded, the passenger managed to get back into the vehicle, and the driver sped away from the scene. Both Patrolman Cash and the wounded lieutenant were rushed to a local hospital. Tragically, Richard Cash succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. In a strange turn of events, the suspects also drove to the same hospital to seek treatment for the passenger's gunshot wounds. The driver dropped off his accomplice, who was taken into surgery but ultimately died from his injuries.
The investigation that followed revealed that the two suspects were already wanted in connection with a homicide that had occurred six months prior. With the shooter deceased, the focus of the investigation turned to the driver of the vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and faced justice for his role in the events of that fatal night. The driver pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences for the murder of Patrolman Cash and two other murders.
