Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Pennington,
Thank you for your heart of service in the community and our country. Your dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten. It is an honor to participate in the Rio Hondo Police Academy's Class 217 pride run for you. Rest in peace Officer Pennington.

Police Officer Recruit Jack Nguyen
El Monte Police Department

December 11, 2024

God Rest Your Soul, Richard. You were a true hero and a defender of our freedom. Officer Pennington's sacrifice brings to mind the prayer to the Patron Saint of Law Enforcement, St. Michael.

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

David Miklos - Retired Sgt - LA County Sheriff
Rio Hondo Police Academy - Coordinator
Whittier, CA

December 11, 2024

May God bless and strengthen your generations to come. Thank for your sacrifice and service.

P B.D
South Gate

December 11, 2024

Officer Pennington,
You are an example of what a Policeman should be. Your pride, courage, and generosity to the citizens of Vernon were greatly appreciated and your dedication will always be remembered. Thank you for your service, Sir.

Police Recruit Pasha Khanlou
Burbank Police Department

Pasha Khanlou- Burbank Police Department

December 11, 2024

Officer Pennington,

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in eternal peace and may your family thrive and prosper as your continued legacy here on Earth, for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Villagomez
Cal Poly Pomona University Police Department

December 10, 2024

Officer Pennington lived and held to traits that we should all admire. Courage, integrity, and commitment to his profession are just a few of these qualities that set Officer Pennington apart. As a cadet I hope to have the opportunity to grow in these areas and be able to display them for my community. I look forward to honoring Officer Pennington's memory both on duty and off duty. His example is one that will stay with me through my career. Thank you for your service Officer Pennington.

Jacob Sera
Rio Hondo Police Academy

December 10, 2024

Officer Pennington,

It is an honor to participate in the pride run dedicated in your name. We will not forget your selflessness and dedication to your country and community.

Rio Hondo Police Academy

December 10, 2024

Officer Pennington,

In your honor, Rio Hondo Police Academy class #217 will be dedicating our Pride Run in your honor. Thank you, Officer Pennington, for your service, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Rest In Peace,

Police Recruit Ramon Aguilar
California State University Los Angeles Police

December 9, 2024

We read about this incident in class at the Rio Hondo academy to honor Officer Pennington. It saddened us to think about how Richard Pennington returned from his military service and continued to serve his community as a police officer, only to be killed back home. His service and sacrifice continues to inspire others. My thoughts go out to his wife and son that had Richard taken from them much too soon. Richard's absence is felt to this day.

Cadet D. Diaz
Rio Hondo Police Academy

December 9, 2024

I can deeply appreciate and respect your commitment to the law enforcement field. Thank you for your service. May you continue resting in peace!

Recruit Rocha
Rio Hondo Police Academy Recruit

December 9, 2024

Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten sir. A life dedicated to serving his country and his community is to be honored every day. An example of service above self to the new generation of law enforcement. Thank you sir.

Cadet Kendrick Larios
Baldwin Park Police Department

December 9, 2024

Thank you for your service Officer Richard H. Pennington. Your bravery and sacrifice you gave for the city of Vernon and the Country will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Officer Richard H. Pennington.

Jeffrey Cervantes Police Recruit
Huntington Park Police Department

December 9, 2024

Officer Richard Pennington serves as a reminder to all law enforcement personnel of the dangers this job carries. He will never be forgotten, and his legacy lives on to this day. Officer Pennington is an example of heroism and sacrifice. Thank you for your service, Officer Pennington.

Brandon Campos

December 9, 2024

Thank you for your service, Officer Richard H. Pennington. Your service and the sacrifice you made for this country will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Officer Pennington.

Jeffrey Cervantes
Huntington Park Police Department

December 9, 2024

May you rest in peace, sir, for making the ultimate sacrifice. Your memory serves as an example to us all—an example of courage, service, and heroism.

Noah Ha
Arcadia Police Department

December 9, 2024

Thank you for your service. A true hero, that was dedicated to his career and protecting the people of the city of Vernon. I look forward to running in your honor at our Police Academy run.


Police Recruit Javier Huerta
Burbank Police Department

December 8, 2024

Javier Huerta

December 9, 2024

1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

Eduardo Solorio
Rio Hondo Academy

December 9, 2024

Officer Pennington displayed true honor and dedication to his country and police department. He showed loyalty to his fellow officers by making the ultimate sacrifice off duty. Officer Pennington shows recruits and young officers the risks of police service while keeping seasoned officers humble, as these are daily risks that every officer must be willing to take. Officer Pennington is a hero and will always be remembered for his act of bravery and selflessness.

Adam Preciado
Rio Hondo Police Academy

December 9, 2024

Officer Pennington,

Thank you for your bravery and service not only to the community that you protected but to your country as well. Your legacy lives and will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace

Police Recruit I.Alfaro
Vernon Police Department

December 9, 2024

During his short time with the Vernon Police Department, Officer Richard Pennington was the definition of courage, commitment, and selflessness with how he carried himself both on and off duty. His passing serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers that this profession entails. As I reflect on Officer Pennigton's passing, I am reminded that as a future police officer, I will be handed the responsibility of being a peacekeeper both while on and off duty and I must be committed to stay ready to maintain order and peace while serving as a sworn Police Officer. I will make it a mission to uphold Officer Pennington's values day in and day out throughout the duration of my law enforcement career.

Steven Acosta

December 9, 2024

Mr pennington your ultimate sacrifice for the city of Vernon will never go unnoticed and you will always be remembered as a hero. We will strive to be the best we can be in this career and show professionalism, dedication, and courage as you showed in your career. Thank you sir for all you have done for the city of Vernon and our country.

Brian Martinez
Pre service

December 9, 2024

As a World War II veteran, Officer Pennington had already demonstrated his willingness to serve beyond personal interest, embodying values of bravery and duty. His ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a young family, is a solemn call to honor and remember the sacrifices of all law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Reflecting on his story inspires gratitude for those who continue to serve and protect, often at great personal risk, and reinforces the importance of supporting their mission and their families.

Cadet David Velazquez
Arcadia Police Department

December 9, 2024

My name is Josh Rodriguez, and I am currently a cadet in the Rio Hondo Police Academy. I grew up in Los Angeles and would frequently visit the city of Vernon. As I am soon to become a law enforcement officer, I reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this profession. It is also our job to never forget those who have gone before us. The Rio Hondo Police Academy will honor Officer Pennington in our Pride Run before graduation. Officer Pennington may have gone down in the line of duty, but it's the current officer that continue to lift him up.

Joshua Rodriguez
Gardena Police Department

December 9, 2024

Thank you for your service and dedication to the City of Vernon and the law enforcement department, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

J.Scott

December 9, 2024

Thank You for your service and dedication to the Department and City of Vernon, Sir. Your heroism and service are honored, and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Eliana Montelongo
GPD

December 9, 2024