Orange County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Saturday, June 12, 1999
Add to My HeroesBradley Jay Riches
Deputy Riches was shot and killed after being ambushed at a convenience store. Deputy Riches was on routine patrol when he pulled up to a 7-11 store. As soon as he pulled up, a man exited the store and opened fire on him with an AK-47 rifle. Although Deputy Riches was able to make an emergency broadcast, he did not have time to return fire or exit his vehicle before he was killed.
The suspect then fled the scene of the shooting. Another deputy recognized the murderer after viewing the store's surveillance tapes and he was arrested later in the day while trying to flee the area. The suspect had a history of arrests for drunk driving, drugs, and assaulting a police officer. The suspect was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death in December 2003.
Deputy Riches had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Department for 9 years.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; AK-47
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 58 ReflectionsWhat a solid deputy and true public servant. I am grateful for the brief time we worked together, right up until your last shift. Unfortunately you are now joined by another old partner, Sgt. Steve Torres (Sta.18-ret.), both of you are missed greatly.
Deputy Bill Harer
OCSD retired
June 12, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kenneth Reid Lester
Richmond Police Department, IN
EOW: February 10, 2020
Officer David Kellywood
White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: February 17, 2020
Lieutenant Shirley Lanning
Canadian County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 14, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Donna Richardson-Below
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: February 12, 2020
Police Officer Matthew S. von Seydewitz
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: January 27, 2020
Trooper Joseph Jon Bullock
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Police Officer Nick O'Rear
Kimberly Police Department, AL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten
Liberty County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 3, 2020
Police Officer Alan Daniel McCollum
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: January 31, 2020