National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Police Officer

Memorial Panel: 52-E: 29

Department: Indianapolis Metropolitan, Indiana, P.D.

End of Watch: January 3, 1922

Cause: SHOT

Age: 76

Years of Service: 39

Description: On July 2, 1879, Police Officer Richards was searching for a gang of horse thieves but instead came across a gang of burglars who were dividing the spoils from a recent burglary of a jewelry store. Officer Richards was shot in the left foot in an exchange of gunfire with the gang. Officer Richards eventually recovered from the injury and returned to duty. Officer Richards continued to suffer the pain of that wound and was medically pensioned and retired in January 1912. On December 22, 1921, the pain in his left leg was so severe that an amputation was advised. He died in the hospital on January 3, 1922, two days after surgery to amputate his left foot.