Family of the SFPD officer, which was killed 55 years ago, wants a new attention to the case; 250,000 USD reward

San Francisco – – A police officer in San Francisco, who was killed 55 years ago, receives new attention and the police authority offers an increased reward of $ 250,000.

Police investigators and the family of the official hope for leads and answers in a cold case that they have been pursuing them for more than half a century.

Officer Richard Radetich has been with the San Francisco police for almost four years when he was killed.

On June 19, 1970, shortly before 5:30 a.m., Radetich was in the Waller Street in the neighborhood of Haight Ashbury.

He was attacked when he was sitting in his patrol car.

The investigators said that in a white Cadillac drove up with a loud engine and fired three shots.

One hit Radetich in his head.

He later died in the hospital.

An investigator of Cold Case saw an old plane about the officer and decided to pull this case out of the shelves about five months ago to solve it.

The officer's family is grateful.

“This is my brother Richard. He was killed in duty in 1970,” said Jo-Ellen, when she pointed to a drawing of her older brother, a valuable property. “I'm not trying to cry. It hurts me.”

For the first time, the police investigators shared their case files with KTVU on Thursday, including crime scene photos.

“This is the actual quote that Officer Radetich wrote or wrote at the time of shot,” said Dominic Celaya, an investigator of Cold Case at SFPD. “He had his radio microphone in his hand. His car engine was switched on.

The notorious Zodiac murderer was one of those who had taken responsibility.

A scene from the film “Zodiac” from 2007 brings up the murder of officer Radetich.

However, the police said there was no evidence that the zodiac murderer was responsible.

The way the crime was carried out was different and the weapon caliber was not the same.

“There are some people we still have to look for, from whom we believe you will solve this case that lead us to the person who did this,” said Dan Cunningham, an investigator of the police in San Francisco.

Radetich left a woman and an 8 -month -old daughter.

“It would be great for us to know why they did it and give us a lot of peace,” said Cousin Curt Radetich.

Family members said they need answers to healing.

Jo-Ellen said she was close to her older brother and his violent death changed her life forever.

“There is no day when I don't think of his murder,” she said. “Why did you do it? Who was it? It's so unfair.”

The police have increased the reward from 100,000 to 250,000 US dollars for information that leads to identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Amber Lee is a reporter at KTVU. Email amber at amber.lee@fox.com or to text/leave the message under 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @amberktvu, Instagram @amberktvu or Twitter @amberktvu

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