On June 29, 1985, OPP Provincial Constable Richard J. McLaughlin died in the line of duty while serving at the Spanish, Ontario OPP Detachment. Constable McLaughlin was operating an unmarked police cruiser west on Highway 17 when he pulled onto the west bound shoulder then abruptly made a U-turn. His cruiser collided with a tractor trailer also traveling westbound. His injuries were fatal.

At the time of his death, Constable McLaughlin was 31yrs old with 7 years of service. He was married with two children.