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Incident
Police Officer Richard Klass succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one month earlier when he was shot with his own weapon while struggling with a suspect in front of 5863 Mission Street in San Francisco. Officers were booking a prisoner into the Daly City Jail on Wellington Avenue on a charge of indecent exposure. As the officers were trying to fingerprint him the man broke away and fled down Mission Street toward San Francisco. An all-points bulletin was broadcast and Officer Klass spotted the fugitive. Officer Klass located the man several blocks across the city line in San Francisco. A struggle ensued and the subject took Officer Klass' gun from him and shot him in the back, striking several vital organs. The subject then attempted to shoot Officer Klass in the face but another officer arrived and deflected the gun's barrel. Officer Klass was rushed to Mary's Help Hospital where he underwent surgery for the removal of his spleen, a kidney, and his pancreas. He was paralyzed from the waist down from damage to his spinal cord. As he was being prepared for a routine exploratory operation on June 9th, 1966, he died unexpectedly from a heart attack. The subject was convicted of Officer Klass' murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. His first conviction was overturned and he was sentenced to five years to life after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Officer Klass had served with Daly City Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee, mother, father, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer Klass gave the Daly City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Daly City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Klass.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Daly City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 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 1966, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Daly City Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Daly City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Daly City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
