Incident
Patrolman Henry Richter succumbed to two gunshot wounds received a day earlier during a stakeout of the National Refining Company gas station at East 141st and St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. The gas station had been robbed several times and while Patrolman Richter was hiding in a back room, a robber entered and announced the holdup at 9:00 p.m. The teller said a pre-determined line to indicate a holdup was taking place. The man ordered the clerk into the back room, and as the door opened, Patrolman Richter opened fire. The suspect returned fire, striking Patrolman Richter in the chest twice. Patrolman Richter continued to fire, striking the suspect five times. The suspect later died of his wounds. His accomplice was apprehended and sentenced to life. Patrolman Richter was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Spanish-American War and had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-1FC06944- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Henry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Richter gave the Cleveland Division of Police 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Henry A. Richter served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Henry A. Richter 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry A. Richter's cause is highlighted.
How Henry A. Richter Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry A. Richter is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry A. Richter was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















