Throughout his short career, having joined the Ontario Provincial Police in June 1978, Rick was rated as a good worker and had several successful investigations to his credit. He was a popular fellow within his community and he had many interests including sailing, woodworking, scuba diving and flying.
Towards the end of his shift on June 29, 1985, Constable McLaughlin was in the process of pulling off the road apparently to allow a transport truck to pass him, when he suddenly turned into the path of the truck. The impact resulted in his immediate death.
Rick was survived by his wife and two children.