Gerald Irving Richardson
Superintendent

Gerald Irving Richardson

Lancashire Constabulary — Preston, ENG
Felonious
End of Watch August 23, 1971
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 191 ›
Gender Male

Incident

After assisting in a car chase of five robbers, Superintendent Richardson then chased one of them as the gang split up and attempted to escape on foot. He tackled the robber and tried to persuade him to surrender his weapon but was shot twice in the stomach at point-blank range and died of his injuries later that day at the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool.

Posthumously awarded the George Cross for Gallantry.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-GB-LAC-863DD1FA
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 8, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Superintendent Richardson served with the Lancashire Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Superintendent Richardson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Preston, ENG
Platform Identity lco.lan.eng.gb.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 23, 1971
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Homicide - Shot

Superintendent Gerald Irving Richardson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 29.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Lancashire Constabulary, 21 of 122 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17.2% of this agency's fallen.

Lancashire Constabulary
21
of 122 officers
17.2% Felonious
ENG — Statewide
702
of 2,827 officers
24.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerald Irving Richardson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Gerald Irving Richardson Compares

Age at End of Watch
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald Irving Richardson is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518