Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Rivers was shot and killed by members of the Brady Gang who had gone to a doctor's house to have a companion's gunshot wounds treated. Officers went to the home of the doctor in response to a report that a man at that address had suffered a gunshot wound. Officer Rivers was gunned down in a hail of machine-gun fire upon their arrival. The gang members all fled the scene and two were captured a year later. Another suspect was convicted of bank robbery and the murder of Trooper Paul Minneman of the Indiana State Police on May 27, 1937, under federal law and sentenced to death. On November 18, 1938, he was executed by electrocution at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Although never proven, the Brady Gang was also suspected of murdering Officer Frank Levy of the Anderson Police Department on November 25, 1935. Officer Rivers had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for 13 years.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-264D45A7- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Rivers gave the Indianapolis Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rivers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard Rivers 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Indianapolis Police Dept., 38 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Rivers's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Rivers Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Rivers is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Rivers was killed by rifle; machine gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
