Patrolman Richard John Burchick, 39, of the Erie Police Department, was shot on February 5, 1991, during a foot pursuit at East 21st Street and East Avenue and died the following day from a gunshot wound. Burchick had four years on the force after leaving a city planning office job to become a police officer; he was a husband and father of three daughters.

The shooting happened while Burchick pursued a suspect linked to a drive-by shooting. The person identified as the shooter was 17-year-old Michael Bibbs, who allegedly turned and fired a .38-caliber handgun as Burchick grabbed at him, striking the officer in the face. Bibbs was found hiding in a nearby parked car and taken into custody; four other people who had been in the vehicle were also arrested and two firearms were recovered.

Bibbs, days shy of his 18th birthday, was charged as an adult with criminal homicide and was later convicted of third-degree murder in connection with Patrolman Burchick’s death.

If anyone remembers the incident or has information about that night, please share what you know.