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Incident
Officer Richard Huerta was ambushed while issuing a citation at 2:00 am at 11th Street and Julian Avenue in San Jose. Officer Huerta stopped two youths for running a stop light. While he was writing the ticket in his patrol vehicle, a person unrelated to the situation approached and fired six shots. After striking Officer Huerta four times, the subject fled on foot. The youths were not injured and went to the police station to report the shooting. The subject, who was the son of an Oakland police officer, was convicted of Officer Huerta's murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. As of November 24, 2022, he was in a California Prison Medical Facility in Vacaville, having been denied parole for 5 years. Officer Huerta had served with the San Jose Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Huerta gave the San Jose Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Huerta.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 24 officers in CA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 35. Of the 8 killed feloniously at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 12.5% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
