Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Radetich was shot and killed when he was ambushed while writing a traffic citation at the 600 block of Waller Street in San Francisco. He was working an overtime traffic detail and had stopped to issue a ticket for a vehicle without registration tags. As he was writing the ticket at 5:25 a.m., an unrelated suspect approached his vehicle and opened fire through the closed driver's side window. A suspect in the killing was an ex-convict who was extradited from Ohio. However, the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence in 1971. In his final act of service, Officer Radetich's organs were donated. Officer Radetich had served with the San Francisco Police Department for 4 years and was an Explorer Scout Cadet before becoming a police officer. He is survived by his wife and 8-month-old daughter. His father was a retired law enforcement officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 8-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-FF6453B8- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Radetich gave the San Francisco Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Radetich.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard Radetich 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 San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Radetich's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Radetich Compares
Offender Outcome
Identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Radetich is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Radetich was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from San Francisco Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
