Posted by Newspaper Transcriber on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 15:18:05 :

RICHARD KLASS

Entombment at Napa Valley Memorial Gardens in Napa followed funeral services Monday afternoon at Lakeside Presbyterian Church for Daly City Policeman Richard John Klass, who died June 9 at Mary’s Help Hospital.

Officer Klass had been shot while performing his duty as a member of the Daly City Police Dept.

The son of John and Elma Klass of St. Helena, Officer Klass, 25, was the brother of Martha Ann Klass and the grandson of Mrs. Peter Lura. Survivors also include an aunt, uncles and various other relatives.

Local arrangements were by W.C. Lasswell.

The Record & Westlake Times, Page 4, Wednesday, June 15, 1966
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D C Police Officer Dies

Daly City police officer Richard Klass who was shot May 6 when he tried to subdue an escaping prisoner died Thursday morning at Mary’s Help Hospital.

The police office died as he was being prepared for an operation to determine the extent of spinal injury that was causing paralysis of the lower part of his body.

Hospital officials said Klass suffered a heart seizure, possibly as a result of speeded up heart action caused by his wound.

The suspect, still being held, is Leandre Andreas Sedeno, 32, of Daly City. Police say the Deputy District Attorney Jack Juergena will refile changing the charge against Sedeno from attempted murder to a straight murder charge.

Sedeno appeared in Superior Court Wednesday the day before Klass’ death for submission of psychiatrists’ reports concerning his sanity. Judge Howard Hartly took the reports and scheduled his decision for today.

Klass was shot when he and two other policemen tried to capture Sodeno as he fled from the Daly City jail.

Sedeno was being taken to be fingerprinted by Officer James Van Pelt early in the morning. He punched Can Pelt in the stomach and fled through a side door.

Van Pelt caught him in an alley outside the station, but he wriggled free.

Sgt. Tom Culley joined in the chase. Another officer in the squad room alerted the office and a radio alarm was put out.

Klass, who was cruising in a patrol car, heard the alarm and sped to the scene. He picked up Culley and Van Pelt on Mission Street and continued the chase.

They caught up with Sedeno and Klass brought the car to a grinding halt and the three officers jumped out. Klass tackled Sedeno. In the struggle, Sedeno took Klass’ gun from his folster and shot him in the small of the back.

The Record & Westlake Times, Front Page and Page 2, Wednesday, June 15, 1966

From CADI: KLASS RICHARD J 09/09/1940 LURA M ILLINOIS SAN MATEO 06/09/1966 562-50-8563 25 yrs