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Incident
Captain Richard Zbinden succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on August 28th, 1959, when he responded to a weapon brandishing call. He was shot with a .22 caliber revolver after going to the suspect's home, at 1859 Fleming Street, to question him about the incident. The wound caused him to be out of work for two years but he later returned to duty and rose the rank of Captain before succumbing to the wound. The suspect was convicted of the shooting. Captain Zbinden had served with the Pomona Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-8E1G-B593-8earlier record number BO-US-CA-318BA31D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Zbinden gave the Pomona Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pomona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Zbinden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pomona Police Department has lost 7 officers; 4 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 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1991, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 57. 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 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 57. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 57. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Pomona Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was 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 handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 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 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pomona Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pomona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
