Officer David Richards died as the result of a complication of a gunshot wound suffered 42½ years earlier.

   He was searching for a gang of horse thieves with other officers when they interrupted four members of the unrelated Modoc Gang who were dividing the spoils of a home burglary the night before.

   As the men opened fire, Officer Richards was shot in the left foot during the ensuing gunbattle and was able to return fire, wounding one suspect but both survived. Another officer was clubbed into unconsciousness, which left him deaf.

   He was able to return to duty but was medically retired in 1911 due to continued pain and medical issues with his foot and leg. On January 1, 1922, his foot was amputated and he died two days later from complications at Joseph Eastman Hospital.

   All four suspects were eventually apprehended. The shooter was later sentenced to two years in prison and in 1881, Governor Albert G. Porter granted him a pardon.

   The other men were sentenced from 30 days to six months in jail. One was released in 1879 and another was discharged in 1883.

   Officer Richards was widowed and survived by his daughter and two sons.

Historical Notes • Officer Richards is the oldest known officer killed in the line of duty in Indiana. • He is the longest serving known officer killed in the line of duty in Indiana. • Officer Richards has the longest incident to line of duty death duration in Indiana. • He also has the sixth-longest incident to line of duty death duration in the United States.

The responsibilities of the Indianapolis Police Department (1854–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.