Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer David Richards died as the result of a complications of a gunshot wound sustained on July 2nd, 1879.
He was searching for a gang of horse thieves when he interrupted an unrelated gang of burglars who were dividing the spoils of a recent burglary. Officer Richards was shot in the foot during the ensuing shootout.
He was eventually able to return to duty but was medically retired in 1912 due continued pain and medical issues with his foot and leg. His leg was amputated on January 1st, 1922, and he died from complications of the surgery on January 3rd, 1922.
Officer Richards had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for 39 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-29055AFD- 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
39 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Richards gave the Indianapolis Police Department 39 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Richards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer David S. Richards 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. David S. Richards's cause is highlighted.
How David S. Richards Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David S. Richards is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David S. Richards was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
