Policeman Earl Leonard Riddick

Earl Leonard Riddick

Policeman Earl Riddick was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a bank robber at Security Pacific Bank at 6922 S. Western Avenue in Los Angeles.

The robber entered the bank carrying a small black bag and went up to a teller, and held her up with a .38 revolver. On his way out, he shot the uniformed guard standing by the door in the chest without warning, killing him instantly. The guard was unaware that a robbery had occurred.

Policeman Riddick, off-duty and in civilian clothes, was in the bank cashing a check. He followed the robber out to the parking lot. The bandit was getting into a 1968 brown Pontiac Firebird. According to witnesses, Policeman Riddick ordered him out of the car with his hands up. The bandit turned and fired, hitting the officer. The officer fell to the pavement but managed to fire his weapon and shot out the rear window of the bandit’s car as he fled.

The bandit got only a short distance from the bank when his shattered rear window attracted the attention of two motorcycle officers who gave chase. The suspect crashed and fled on foot into a nearby backyard, where he crawled beneath a trailer. As officers closed in, they shot and killed the suspect when he fired at them.

The bandit's gun was tied to other murders. He had been arrested 18 times for various offenses and was on parole prior to killing Policeman Riddick.

Policeman Riddick was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son became an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Policeman Riddick was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor.