Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Huerta was ambushed while issuing a citation at 2:00 am at 11th Street and Julian Avenue in San Jose. Officer Huerta stopped two youths for running a stop light. While he was writing the ticket in his patrol vehicle, a person unrelated to the situation approached and fired six shots. After striking Officer Huerta four times, the subject fled on foot. The youths were not injured and went to the police station to report the shooting. The subject, who was the son of an Oakland police officer, was convicted of Officer Huerta's murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. As of November 24, 2022, he was in a California Prison Medical Facility in Vacaville, having been denied parole for 5 years. Officer Huerta had served with the San Jose Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8B1A2A53- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Huerta gave the San Jose Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Huerta.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard E. Huerta 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 97,756 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 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Jose Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard E. Huerta's cause is highlighted.
How Richard E. Huerta Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard E. Huerta is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard E. Huerta was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
