Constable Richard Eric Nystedt
Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario
End of Watch: Saturday, July 3, 1993

Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 7899

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Saturday, July 3, 1993
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Constable Nystedt was stationed in Minden at the time of his death. He was on patrol with his partner, Senior Constable Mike Landry. They were answering a second call to a domestic assault. The assailant disappeared into the woods where the officers gave chase. The officers were searching a location when the suspect came up behind them with a knife and stabbed Constable Nystedt in the left leg. The knife severed the left femoral artery and Constable Nystedt bled to death before reaching help.

A massive search began for the suspect with 50 officers and K9 support. Off duty officers converged on the scene to help in the search. A recently retired member arrived with hot drinks and food for the searchers. The suspect was apprehended around noon and charged with first degree murder. The charged was later dropped to second degree murder. He was sentenced to Life imprisonment without parole for 18 years. An appeal later reduced parole to 15 years. The judge stated that the convict had no way of knowing Constable Nystedt was a police officer.

Constable Nystedt had served with the OPP for less than 3 years. He was survived by his fiancee.