Michael Wayne Richardson

How they died

Deadly force

Richardson drove home from a bar in his red 2007 Dodge Ram. He struck a chain-link fence. William Lord, who believed Richardson would drive the truck into his house, called 911. Officers Jason Holt and Scott Gabriel responded. Richardson did not respond to their orders. Officer Gabriel fired three shots at the wheels of the truck. His pistol jammed. Officer Holt said that Richardson reached for a .22-caliber rifle. He shot Richardson fatally near the right ear. Texas Ranger Sergeant Shane Morrow investigated. Though both officers were no-billed, Officer Holt was fired. He had worked for five different law enforcement agencies in as many years.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Michael Wayne Richardson, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources