Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service, both military and police, and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 11, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Phelps.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 12, 2019

Patrolman Phelps,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 11, 2019

HERO, ALWAYS Remembered and NEVER Forgotten.

Kim Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

July 11, 2019

Rich-
I can't believe it is 28 years since I last saw you. You tried to be a grouch with me but that softer side kept peeking out. Your last words to me kept me going so many times in the 12 years that I continued in the job after you were gone. I still thought of you every damn day. You wouldn't believe the changes, but one thing will never change - your beautiful daughters and that none of us will ever forget you.

Patrolwoman (former) W.L.Weidman
Wormleysburg PD

July 11, 2017

I miss you, my brother. I remember all the mid-nights we spend drinking coffee, telling war stories and always had each other's back. Andy never knew.

Det. G. C. Thompson, retired
Upper Allen Township Police

September 23, 2012

It's hard to believe that "Richie" as my brother and I called him has been gone for so long it seems. I am surprised he was only 45, since he seemed so much older, but that is because I was just a kid. I remember him fondly as he sat on Hummel Ave catching speeders with the "speed trap". I loved the smell of his pipe. I was away at camp when I heard the awful news on the radio. I didn't get to attend his funeral or any of it. I was so sad. Rest in peace Richie. You're always remembered!

Christie S

February 29, 2012

Remembering you on the 22nd anniversary of your passing. Rest in Peace Officer Phelps.

Lorie Richardson
Borough resident

July 11, 2011

Rich...There hasn't been a day go by in all these years that I don't think about you. You will always be a friend and a partner.

Vernon J. Shaffer II
Lemoyne Boro P.D. 13-6

September 30, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 11, 2010

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 11, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 15, 2008

Sir your sacrifice will always be remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

July 11, 2007

Ah.....Rich...what a character....
When I worked at Cumberland County Control, it always made the shift more fun when you knew Rich was working. A dedicated officer and someone who made our job easier by his great attitude and demeanor. I would always stop and make contact with him when I was in the West Shore and he was on duty.
The last time I saw him, I was working in Lemoyne and they were working the bottle neck. Traffic was backed up almost to the red light at 3rd street. I was in the lane to go across the bridge and crossed over to go thru Wormleysburg. I was stopped and up came Rich. He saw who I was and said "I'm just going to talk to you for a while, because the chief is back there watching.....he'll think I really jumped all over you." We talked for a while and off I went with no ticket.....That's the kind of guy he was.

Mike Fitzpatrick
Messiah College DOS Dispatcher

March 5, 2007

I found this website completely by accident and am deeply moved by the other reflections left here by my friends and people unknown to me. For my friends, you all know that my Dad would be so overjoyed that you all took the time to remember him by leaving a message here for all to see. For the others, I am grateful that you would also take the time to leave a heartfelt message for my Dad. Please know that even though the message made me cry, it brought back beautiful memories. Thank you all so much.

Gwen Phelps
Daughter

August 28, 2006

Rich ... Talk about memories .. I found this webpage by accident and there was your name .. I remember you well from being a 17 year old EMT at Wormleysburg Company 15 in 1985, meeting you for dinner at Elby's (with Gwen in tow) and who could forget the Mr. Donut shop on Market Street? You aren't forgotten my friend ....

Bob Lowe

January 23, 2006

Phelps!
Seeing your name here brings back a flood of memories. So many things I remember in knowing you. Squire's. Your dog Major. The insurance mark on your house. Mister Donut. Your pipe. Stopping by where I worked. Or late night talks at 3rd & Hummel Ave.while you were on duty. You always knew what was going on with the young people in town. I remember the day you chased (and caught) a runaway, then worked hard at keeping her out of the system until her family could be contacted. Your stops at the fire house on Herman Ave. One of my last memories of you, was at the fire house in Lemoyne, the annual fireman's festival and you were holding your granddaughter. It's hard to believe it's been so long since you passed. Passed, but never forgotten.

October 25, 2005

Rich,

Time goes by so fast, it's hard to believe. I was just a boy when you made your sacrifice. But, I remember you! You and my father, also a police officer, were friends. You once said I was just like him and you were right.

Today I discovered your memorial wasn't finished. Your photo and other information are not complete. This will not be for much longer, my friend.

Rest in peace Rich. Until we meet again.

Officer Keith Anthony
Mechanicsburg Police Department

October 9, 2005

Rich-
I can't believe it's been this long since you've gone. Time goes so fast.
You wouldn't believe the changes that have happened...I can just imagine your expression if you were here to see them. I still remember the "rocket runs", 0130 coffee, and chasing your huge dog around.
I miss you, Rich...rest easy.

W.L. Mannion, Administrator
PoliceHub.com

July 11, 2005

Patrolman Phelps,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Lemoyne Borough.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 16, 2005