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Corporal

Fred J. Richterkessing

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Felonious
United States flag Kentucky flag
End of Watch April 1, 1901
Age 34
The Vigil Panel 16 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 90

Incident

Corporal Fred Richterkessing was shot and killed by one of his subordinate police officers whom he had written up several times for not being at his post.

The police headquarters had not received the officer's 7:30 pm call from the callbox at Broadway and Sixth Street. Ten minutes later Corporal Richterkessing's body was found at the intersection suffering a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

The officer who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

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August 2, 2026
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September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Richterkessing served with the Louisville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Richterkessing.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Louisville Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 1, 1901
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Fred was 34. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, Fred among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Corporal Fred J. Richterkessing

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch April 1, 1901

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W

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