Marshal Ray Richardson was beaten to death when he attempted to arrest the owner of a pool hall.

On September 10, 1952 at approximately 8:30 pm, Marshal Richardson attempted to arrest the owner of Cardwell Pool Room, Luther Pounds, who had interfered with an arrest earlier. As Marshal Richardson entered the front door to the pool room he was struck on the head with a pool cue and knocked back onto the sidewalk. He died several hours later at 12:25 am at Dunklin County Memorial Hospital in Kennett, MO. Pounds, 43, surrendered himself to police about an hour after the fight occurred. Pounds was sentenced to prison where he died in 1960.

Marshal Richardson was survived by his wife, Mary, and two sons. Interred: Cardwell Cemetery.