Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Richards succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two weeks earlier while attempting to question a man about a stolen satchel. The suspect, a store clerk, had been accused of stealing a customer's satchel that was full of papers and money. The suspect informed the detective of the incident and Detective Richards went to the question the man.
The suspect was located in front of the store on Franklin Street and Detective Richards called out to him. The suspect suddenly produced a revolver, causing the unarmed Detective Richards to pull out his club and close the distance between the two. One shot was fired by the suspect, striking Detective Richards' arm and entering his upper chest.
A group of citizens observed the shooting and started to chase the suspect. The man attempted to shoot at the group but the gun misfired. As he examined the gun to determine why it misfired, he pulled the trigger and accidentally shot himself in the head.
Detective Richards was taken to his home where his condition became increasingly worse. He succumbed to the wound two weeks later.
Detective Richards was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Detective Richards was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-B6DD8B20- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Detective Richards served with the Baltimore City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John H. Richards is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baltimore Police Department, 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Richards's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Richards Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Richards is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Richards was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
