Retired Virginia police officer sentenced in death of wife and stepdaughter

RICHMOND, Virginia – A retired Virginia police officer has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for killing his estranged wife and stepdaughter and shooting at police officers.

Richard Colon Crowder of Henrico was sentenced Friday in Henrico County District Court.

Diane Crowder was moving her belongings out of the couple’s home in July 2022, and her stepdaughter Carrie Szaksz was helping her. While employees of the moving company were upstairs, Crowder shot the women multiple times outside the home, according to court documents. Richard Crowder then barricaded himself inside the home and fired shots that struck two Henrico County police vehicles.