The pallbearers lifted the coffin from the hearse and carried it to its final resting-place in Arbor Vitae Cemetery. Anger and sorrow filled the air as they prepared to say goodbye to one of their own. Upon reaching the grave, Shirley Bollinger, Elmer Pavey, Ernie Fernandez, Woodrow Hefner, Denny Shannon, and Virgil Van Curen put their burden down and stepped back to join the community in mourning the passing of policeman Richard David Thomas, killed in the line of duty four days earlier. It was the third time Madera had buried a fallen lawman.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 1953, the date of Thomas’ death, should have been a day of jubilation for Madera. Its 16th annual fair was opening, and everyone was looking forward to the “Old Timers’ Parade” on Saturday. However, on Wednesday night fate stepped in to cast a pall over the city.
The tragedy had its beginning as officer Ernest Fernandez made his rounds checking doors in the downtown area. When he reached the Liberty Food Market at 312 Vineyard, Fernandez found the door unlocked. Suspecting that a burglary might be in progress, he phoned police headquarters. Radio calls quickly brought officers Thomas and Van Curen to the scene. The two decided that they would enter from the front while Fernandez would cover the rear exit of the store.