Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Earl Riddick was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a bank robber at Security Pacific Bank at 6922 S. Western Avenue in Los Angeles. The robber entered the bank carrying a small black bag and went up to a teller, and held her up with a .38 revolver. On his way out, he shot the uniformed guard standing by the door in the chest without warning, killing him instantly. The guard was unaware that a robbery had occurred. Policeman Riddick, off-duty and in civilian clothes, was in the bank cashing a check. He followed the robber out to the parking lot. The bandit was getting into a 1968 brown Pontiac Firebird. According to witnesses, Policeman Riddick ordered him out of the car with his hands up. The bandit turned and fired, hitting the officer. The officer fell to the pavement but managed to fire his weapon and shot out the rear window of the bandit’s car as he fled. The bandit got only a short distance from the bank when his shattered rear window attracted the attention of two motorcycle officers who gave chase. The suspect crashed and fled on foot into a nearby backyard, where he crawled beneath a trailer. As officers closed in, they shot and killed the suspect when he fired at them. The bandit's gun was tied to other murders. He had been arrested 18 times for various offenses and was on parole prior to killing Policeman Riddick. Policeman Riddick was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son became an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. Policeman Riddick was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-677CD0ED- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Policeman Riddick gave the Los Angeles Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Earl Leonard Riddick served in the Army (1963â1965) before joining law enforcement.
Policeman Earl Leonard Riddick 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Leonard Riddick's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Leonard Riddick Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Leonard Riddick is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Leonard Riddick was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
