After serving in the Navy, Richard Clason joined the Beverly Hills Police Department.  He was on the job for 34 years (1956 – 1990).  During his career, he worked a number of assignments including records technician, patrol officer, officer-in-charge of the Identification Bureau, fingerprint expert and as a consultant in the examination of questioned documents.  Richard Clason is the author of three historical westerns; two of which are series called the “Clason Westerns.” 

According to the book description of his first western, The Kid from Custer, “A band of rustlers kill a rancher. One rustler marries the rancher's wife; another is named deputy sheriff. The rancher's grief-stricken son eludes stepfather and deputy by escaping into the wilds of the Black Hills. Set in the Dakota Territory in 1880, this tense and gripping adventure is well-grounded in history and generously seeded with humor, violence, romance, and sex.

According to the book description of The Deputy and the Devil's Eye: Sequel to The Ranger and the Green Derby, “Being accused of the double murder did not settle well with cowboy Clay Strong. Although he and his Indian partner rode into Dakota Territory to find gold, he soon found himself replacing the murdered deputy to help track down a ruthless serial killer. His efforts, however, were constantly being disrupted with suspicion, vigilantes, and prejudice as the Devil's Eye looked on.”

According to the book description of The Ranger and the Green Derby: Historical Western, “Based on the historic Battle of Lost Valley in Texas, the story captures the early Western times with suspense, adventure, and justice. Some no-good outlaws and cattle rustlers set up an ambush to wipe out the Texas Rangers and cowboy Clay Strong.

The leader of the outlaws, Ike McGrath, told his gang he wore a green derby because the green stands for his Irish blood and the red feather in it for his Kiowa blood . . . and no one lives laughing at his hat. That's why it was common to hear him say: "I guess today is killing day around here." And many times, it was.”

Dick Clason also authored a police related book, Echoes from the Beats: Beverly Hills Cops Tell Their Stories, which is a compilation of stories by and about Beverly Hills Police Department police officers.   According to David Snowden, Chief of Police of the Beverly Hills Police Department, “Police Officers, both current and retired, will enjoy this book very much.  I am sure it will encourage many more stories and perhaps another book.  The Beverly Hills Police Department has a long and proud history.  Some of it can be relived through these stories.”