District attorney and public servant
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Key moments and achievements from Richard Gammick's life.
Richard was born
· Reno, Nevada, United States
milestone
Richard A. Gammick was born in 1946 and grew up to build his career in northern Nevada. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno while working as a Reno police officer, and later earned a degree in business administration from UNR. He went on to graduate from the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento in 1982.
milestone
Richard A. Gammick was born in 1946 and grew up to build his career in northern Nevada. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno while working as a Reno police officer, and later earned a degree in business administration from UNR. He went on to graduate from the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento in 1982.
career_start
Sen. Dean Heller said Gammick’s public-service career began in 1973, when he became a Reno police officer while attending UNR. That early work gave him firsthand experience in law enforcement before he entered the legal profession. It also established the practical, street-level perspective that later marked his prosecutorial career.
career_start
Sen. Dean Heller said Gammick’s public-service career began in 1973, when he became a Reno police officer while attending UNR. That early work gave him firsthand experience in law enforcement before he entered the legal profession. It also established the practical, street-level perspective that later marked his prosecutorial career.
service
Gammick served in the United States Army, including a combat tour in Vietnam. He later served in the Nevada National Guard, rising to captain in the U.S. Army and major in the Nevada Army National Guard. A later Honor Flight Nevada trip in 2019 reflected the continuing recognition of that service.
service
Gammick served in the United States Army, including a combat tour in Vietnam. He later served in the Nevada National Guard, rising to captain in the U.S. Army and major in the Nevada Army National Guard. A later Honor Flight Nevada trip in 2019 reflected the continuing recognition of that service.
career_progression
Before winning elected office, Gammick served as deputy district attorney and chief deputy district attorney in Washoe County. Sen. Heller said he spent 10 years as chief deputy district attorney before serving as deputy Reno city attorney. He also worked as a legal advisor to the Reno Police Department in that role.
career_progression
Before winning elected office, Gammick served as deputy district attorney and chief deputy district attorney in Washoe County. Sen. Heller said he spent 10 years as chief deputy district attorney before serving as deputy Reno city attorney. He also worked as a legal advisor to the Reno Police Department in that role.
election
Gammick was elected Washoe County district attorney in 1994. That election marked the start of the role that would define his public reputation. He would go on to serve about 20 years in the office across five terms.
election
Gammick was elected Washoe County district attorney in 1994. That election marked the start of the role that would define his public reputation. He would go on to serve about 20 years in the office across five terms.
casework
In 2001, Gammick told a Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that he had personally prosecuted seven death-penalty cases, three of which resulted in death-row sentences. His office handled high-profile matters including the Mizpah Hotel fire case, the Darren Mack return from Mexico, and the Brianna Denison prosecution. Those cases showed the scale and pressure of the office he led.
casework
In 2001, Gammick told a Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that he had personally prosecuted seven death-penalty cases, three of which resulted in death-row sentences. His office handled high-profile matters including the Mizpah Hotel fire case, the Darren Mack return from Mexico, and the Brianna Denison prosecution. Those cases showed the scale and pressure of the office he led.
casework
In January 2007, after Valerie Moore pleaded guilty in the Mizpah Hotel fire case, Gammick said, “She will spend the rest of her life in prison.” The remark reflected the severity of the case and the certainty with which he often spoke about major prosecutions. It also showed the public face of a district attorney accustomed to speaking plainly about punishment.
casework
In January 2007, after Valerie Moore pleaded guilty in the Mizpah Hotel fire case, Gammick said, “She will spend the rest of her life in prison.” The remark reflected the severity of the case and the certainty with which he often spoke about major prosecutions. It also showed the public face of a district attorney accustomed to speaking plainly about punishment.
casework
In February 2008, after Brianna Denison’s death was publicly linked to a serial rapist, Gammick told The Associated Press, “No doubt we are on a hunt now.” He later oversaw the prosecution that ended with James Biela’s conviction and death sentence. In retirement, he emphasized that the result came through teamwork with many law-enforcement agencies.
casework
In February 2008, after Brianna Denison’s death was publicly linked to a serial rapist, Gammick told The Associated Press, “No doubt we are on a hunt now.” He later oversaw the prosecution that ended with James Biela’s conviction and death sentence. In retirement, he emphasized that the result came through teamwork with many law-enforcement agencies.
testimony
In 2010, while testifying in a stalking and threat case, Gammick said he began carrying a gun and wearing a bulletproof vest after repeated threats against him. He said, “It takes a lot to make me afraid,” and, when asked why he had been targeted, “Why me?” The testimony revealed the personal cost of the office and the risks that came with his work.
testimony
In 2010, while testifying in a stalking and threat case, Gammick said he began carrying a gun and wearing a bulletproof vest after repeated threats against him. He said, “It takes a lot to make me afraid,” and, when asked why he had been targeted, “Why me?” The testimony revealed the personal cost of the office and the risks that came with his work.
award
In 2013, Gammick received the William J. Raggio Award from the Nevada Advisory Council for Prosecuting Attorneys. The Nevada Attorney General’s office said the award recognized his distinguished service as Washoe County district attorney, his dedication as a prosecutor and his commitment to justice for all. Catherine Cortez Masto said he had worked tirelessly for most of his adult life to protect the rights, safety and interests of others.
award
In 2013, Gammick received the William J. Raggio Award from the Nevada Advisory Council for Prosecuting Attorneys. The Nevada Attorney General’s office said the award recognized his distinguished service as Washoe County district attorney, his dedication as a prosecutor and his commitment to justice for all. Catherine Cortez Masto said he had worked tirelessly for most of his adult life to protect the rights, safety and interests of others.
interview
In a 2014 retirement interview, Gammick said he had successfully helped change Nevada law three times in cases where he believed he was right and the Nevada Supreme Court agreed. He also said he had been a driving force behind the Mills B. Lane Justice Center, which brought multiple justice-related departments together under one roof. He described his career as a team effort and said he expected to stay busy after retirement.
interview
In a 2014 retirement interview, Gammick said he had successfully helped change Nevada law three times in cases where he believed he was right and the Nevada Supreme Court agreed. He also said he had been a driving force behind the Mills B. Lane Justice Center, which brought multiple justice-related departments together under one roof. He described his career as a team effort and said he expected to stay busy after retirement.
retirement
Gammick retired from public service on January 3, 2015. By then, he had served about 20 years as Washoe County district attorney, including five terms. His retirement closed a long chapter that had begun with police work and moved through prosecution, administration and civic institution-building.
retirement
Gammick retired from public service on January 3, 2015. By then, he had served about 20 years as Washoe County district attorney, including five terms. His retirement closed a long chapter that had begun with police work and moved through prosecution, administration and civic institution-building.
service
After retirement, Gammick said he expected to stay busy with the Boys & Girls Club, Rotary and the Child Advocacy Center. Heller said he had been a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a member of the Prospector’s Club and a former president of the Reno Rotary Club. A 2018 board announcement listed him as first vice president of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows board of directors.
service
After retirement, Gammick said he expected to stay busy with the Boys & Girls Club, Rotary and the Child Advocacy Center. Heller said he had been a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a member of the Prospector’s Club and a former president of the Reno Rotary Club. A 2018 board announcement listed him as first vice president of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows board of directors.
death
KOLO 8 News Now reported on May 14, 2026, that former Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick had died at age 79. Public coverage confirmed his death and age but did not provide a cause of death. His passing closed a career that had stretched from patrol work to the prosecutor’s office and beyond.
death
KOLO 8 News Now reported on May 14, 2026, that former Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick had died at age 79. Public coverage confirmed his death and age but did not provide a cause of death. His passing closed a career that had stretched from patrol work to the prosecutor’s office and beyond.
Richard Gammick passed away
