Roll of Honor
William H. Richardson
Incident
Marshal Richardson was shot and killed during a confrontation. Marshal Richardson was quarrelling with Charles Cora in front of Fox and O'Connor's store on Clay street, between Montgomery and Leidesdorff streets. Cora killed Richardson between 6 and 7 o'clock. Cora was arrested and placed in custody of the City Marshal. There was talk of lynching, but it was decided to have the law enforced at trial. The suspect was convicted of Marshal Richardson's murder and hanged in 1856. Marshal Richardson was survived by his wife. He was the United States Marshal for the Northern District of California.
Survivors
Marshal Richardson was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-17E567EB- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
171 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Marshal Richardson served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal William H. 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Richardson's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Richardson Compares
Offender Outcome
Hanged in 1856
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Richardson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Richardson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
