Alexandria, VA – Richard Albert O’Branovich, whose steady financial mind and generous volunteer spirit helped expand the Alexandria Police Foundation into a broad community-support organization, died peacefully Sept. 18, 2026, at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was 82.
A native of Washington, D.C., Richard was born Feb. 17, 1944, to the late John O’Branovich and Mabel Birch O’Branovich. His family moved to Wheaton, Maryland, in 1961, and he graduated from Wheaton High School the following year. He later earned an associate degree in business administration from Benjamin Franklin University in 1971.
Richard built a 35-year career at Hecht’s Department Stores in Washington, beginning as a stock boy and retiring in 1999 as divisional vice president of finance. Family members knew him as the person everyone called when they needed financial information—or simply a calm, practical answer.
After retirement, Richard and his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Hill O’Branovich, found a new calling in Alexandria. The couple began volunteering with the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Police Foundation in 2012, eventually serving as volunteer executive co-directors. What began as a commitment to support the department’s retired K9 program grew into years of hands-on work supporting officers, young people and families across the city.
Among their most meaningful achievements was helping bring the Alexandria Fallen Officers Memorial to life outside Police Headquarters on Wheeler Avenue. The memorial honors 18 officers who died in the line of duty, beginning with Alexandria’s first constable in 1823. For Ginny, the project held a deeply personal connection: her first husband, Cpl. Charles W. Hill, was killed in 1989 while trying to free a teenage hostage and is among those remembered there.
With no city funding available for construction, Richard and Ginny helped lead a campaign that raised more than $400,000. The memorial was dedicated on March 28, 2015, creating a permanent public tribute to Alexandria’s fallen officers and drawing attention to the Police Foundation’s wider work.
Richard also helped support programs designed to build trust between police and the community: youth summer camp scholarships, the Community Police Academy, Teen Law Enforcement Academy, school resource officer soccer programs, holiday shopping outings for children, Thanksgiving meals for families and events recognizing the work of officers. He believed early, positive contact between young people and officers could make a lasting difference.
The Foundation’s fundraisers reflected the couple’s energy and good humor, from Karaoke for Cops to theater receptions, Doggy Yappy Hours and Chicks for Cops. Richard was proud of the money raised, but more importantly, of what it made possible for officers, retired police dogs, children and families.
For this work, Richard and Ginny were honored together as Living Legends of Alexandria in 2020.
Away from volunteer work, Richard enjoyed golf, trap and skeet shooting, reading and home projects. He especially loved being a grandfather and, in the past year, a great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Ginny; sons Robert Allan O’Branovich (Johanna Christine), Charles William Hill (Michelle Elizabeth) and Robert Matthew Hill; daughter-in-law Denise O’Branovich; grandchildren Steven Kyle O’Branovich (Staphany Celena), Laila Elizabeth Hill, Audrey Rose Hill, Eleanor May Hill and Hannah Lynn Hill; great-grandson Mateo Nicolas O’Branovich; sister Barbara O’Branovich Jerry (John); brother Bruce Michael O’Branovich (Lorie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, James Brian O’Branovich; and brother, John Joseph O’Branovich.
Services and interment will be private. In Richard’s memory, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, Berkeley Medical Center or the Alexandria Police Foundation.
