Incident
Master Patrolman Richard Riggs was shot and killed NE 36th Street, just west of I-35, as he approached a van that had just been used in a robbery several blocks away. Patrolman Riggs and his partner recognized the van as one reported to be used in an armed robbery minutes earlier. As he approached the suspect, he was shot in the chest and abdomen. The suspect was convicted of his murder and subsequently executed in April 2000. Patrolman Riggs had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, stepson, parents, four brothers, and a 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.
Master Patrolman Riggs gave the Oklahoma City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Patrolman Riggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oklahoma City Police Department has lost 33 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 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 1986, 1 officer at Oklahoma City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 3.
In 1986, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 32. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Oklahoma City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 34. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 3.7 years.
Richard was 32. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Richard was 32. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 32. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5% of these deaths at Oklahoma City Police Department; February holds the most, 15%. Tuesdays: 10%.
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60.6% of all 33 deaths at Oklahoma City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Oklahoma City Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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John Howard Jun 14, 1889
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John Milton Jones
Jun 30, 1895
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George W. Jackson Apr 12, 1898
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Morris R. Reagan
Feb 25, 1910
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William F. Byrd Aug 2, 1919
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Jess Sosbee
Dec 2, 1922
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Briggs Chumley
Nov 3, 1924
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Isaac D. Ashburn
Jul 20, 1928
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John D. Gates
Mar 23, 1930
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Charles York
Feb 8, 1933
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John Harold Beasley
May 22, 1933
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Douglas W. Gates
Dec 3, 1933
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Elmer Lee Sartor
Aug 20, 1934
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Ray S. Clark
May 23, 1936
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Frank Cissne
Apr 5, 1937
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Fred B. Counts
Aug 22, 1938
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Webb Loraine Campbell
Oct 29, 1938
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Reese F. Galyon, Jr.
Dec 22, 1951
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Benjamin F. Cravatt
Jul 16, 1954
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Eugene Henry Mills
Dec 11, 1954
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Ronald Lynn Haggard
Mar 21, 1963
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Mark H. Zelewski
Jul 27, 1964
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Michael J. Ratikan
Jun 14, 1971
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James Dewey Chamblin
Apr 15, 1974
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Terry Glen Lawson
Apr 21, 1977
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Gary Lee Ward
Feb 2, 1985
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Richard O. Riggs
Jan 7, 1986
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Delmar Warren Tooman
Sep 29, 1990
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Jeffrey Dean Rominger
Aug 31, 2000
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Jonathan Paul Dragus
Oct 20, 2005
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Robert Craig Douglas
Sep 28, 2008
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Kelley Allen Chase
Oct 13, 2012
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Meagan Burke
Sep 29, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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