150 years after his death, fallen Oakland officer is honored in moving tribute

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Bagpipes and salutes-- a proper hero's send off was given to a police officer in Oakland, who was the first officer ever killed in the line of duty in Alameda County.

The tribute came 150 years after Officer Richard Richardson was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant.

Back in 1867, he was one of Oakland's three police officers working to protect its citizens.

When he died, Richardson was laid to rest in the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

But his burial site had no headstone.

That changed on Monday when a gravestone was dedicated to Richardson, thanks to a group of retired officers who took action after learning of his story.

Monday's ceremony fell on the 150th anniversary of Richardson's death.

It also served as a tribute to all of the 86 peace officers who have died in the line of duty in Alameda County.

During the ceremony, it was noted that the law enforcement profession has undergone monumental changes in the last 150 years.

But a law enforcement official said what remains constant are the unpredictability and the inherent dangers facing all those who have taken the oath and promised to protect and serve their community.