National City
Police are investigating the Sunday night slaying of a 61-year-old retired San Diego Fire Department captain who was bludgeoned to death in a possible robbery attempt.
A family friend also was injured.
The dead man is Richard L. Field, who served 25 years as a San Diego firefighter.
Police have been unable to question Jose Rodriguez, the friend and house guest, who was shot in the abdomen during the attack, which took place about 10 p.m., police said.
Rodriguez, 26, had undergone surgery and was listed in good condition late Monday by hospital officials at UC San Diego Medical Center. In a brief interview before he was taken to the hospital, Rodriguez told police that two men broke into Field’s home in the 2500 block of K Avenue and shot him after asking for money.
Field joined the Fire Department in 1951 and worked primarily at downtown stations, a department spokesman said. He was promoted to captain in 1966 and retired in 1976 because of a heart ailment, the spokesman said.
Police were trying to contact Field’s wife, Rebecca, who was visiting relatives in Mexico.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
