Cameron Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, September 22, 1935
Age: 58
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 22, 1935
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 3 years
Officer George Richards was shot and killed during a confrontation after stopping a man for making an illegal U-turn and for parking illegally in front of a cafe on Main Street.
The offense occurred in front of a cafe owned by the man's brother. The man's brother came out of the store as he argued with Officer Richards and shot the officer eight times. The suspect then surrendered to the county sheriff.
On October 14, 1936, the cafe owner was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 99 years. He said he acted in self-defense but refused to say what happened. His trial was reversed and remanded and a new trial was ordered with a change of venue. On February 17, 1937, he was convicted of murder without malice and sentenced to three years in prison.
Officer Richards had been with the agency for 14 years and was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and nine siblings.