INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – A nearly 5 1/2-mile stretch of State Road 60 from Interstate 95 to 43rd Avenue will likely be named in honor of a fallen Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputy – Cpl. Richard Raczkowski.
County Commission Chairman Peter O’Bryan asked the Indian River County Legislative Delegation for its support of the renaming of the state road at last week’s delegation meeting.
The delegation, consisting of State Representatives Debbie Mayfield and Ralph Poppell and State Senator Joe Negron approved the request. State Senator Mike Haridopolos was absent.
County resident Gordon Michael, who had asked the county commission for support, also addressed the delegation, telling the members of the night Cpl. Raczkowski was killed.
On Sept. 23, 1986, Cpl. Raczkoski responded to a 911 hang up from the Zippy Mart near Vero Beach around 3 a.m. A confrontation ensued between the officer and a suspect, identified as William Reaves.
During the confrontation, Reaves shot Cpl. Raczkoski multiple times, who later died on his way to the hospital.
Reaves was convicted on murder charges in August 1987 and again in February 1992 after the courts reversed the initial conviction. Reaves was sentenced to death and is currently sitting on death row.
Cpl. Raczkoski left behind a wife and son, who was born after his death. The officer enjoyed motorcycles, auto mechanics, boats, fishing and was certified SCUBA diver, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office memorial.
Commissioner Gary Wheeler said that he supported the recommendation – as he did the first time the suggestion was made – noting that he knew the deputy well and remembered the night Cpl. Raczkoski died.
Gordon Michael first brought the issue to Rep. Poppell’s attention, who told him to approach the Board of County Commissioners first, which he did last year.
“If anybody is deserving of recognition, Richard certainly was,” Commissioner Gary Wheeler said at that time.