Richard Herman Diamond was born in Alpena, Michigan on April 25 1892 (not June 25, 1892) to Bosela & Ernestine (Kemnitz) Diemond. At the age of twenty he married Mary Swartzinski in a civil ceremony on May 13, 1913 in Detroit, Michigan. Their first child was born September 17, 1915 and was named Gertrude followed by their their second child born on January 20, 1917 and was named Frank. Richard met an untimely death at the age of 25 in an accidental shooting on his first day as a Detroit Police officer.

Note: His wife Mary later married Frank Lange (1888-1981) on August 22, 1921, to this union is one known son Joseph Lange (1923-1996). Mary died on November 20, 1971 in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 78.


Name Police Officer Richard H. Diamond
Birth Year abt 1892
Age 25
Date of Incident 18 Aug 1917
Death Location Michigan
Department Detroit Police Department
Department State Michigan
End of Watch Date 18 Aug 1917
Cause of Death Gunfire (Accidental)
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Suspect not charged
Notes Officer Richard Diamond was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while on duty. On his first day on the beat, Officer Diamond and his cadet-officer partner met two men near Franklin and McDougall Streets who pointed out three men nearby, claiming they were armed. As the officers approached the three men to investigate, the men fled and gunfire was exchanged. Officer Diamond's partner had told him to take cover as he pursued, but Diamond joined the chase. At one point, his partner turned and fired at him, believing he was another suspect and likely killed him. The cadet-officer was fired, but not charged in the death of Officer Diamond. Officer Diamond was survived by his wife and two children.