Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace hero.

J.R.

January 11, 2023

Bill,

We lost you 56 years ago today.
Your sacrifice is not forgotten and your legacy endures.

Jim McNamara, Jr.

James McNamara, Jr
Friend

January 11, 2022

Rest In peace Officer Rickabaugh. I look forward to meeting you some day to thank you for your service and more so to thank you for having such a wonderful daughter, Sherry, my wife for nearly 28 years, before she too was taken home, September 20, 2021. I miss her so very much, but I can only imagine the reunion you both had when she was able to see you on the other side of the veil, after 55 years being apart. Many tears of happiness must have been born that day. You were never forgotten by Sherry and you won’t be forgotten by me. Thank you sir, and may you both Rest In Peace until I see you again.

Richard L Setina

November 15, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Rickabaugh.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 5, 2021

Rest in peace Bill.
We lost you 55 years ago today.
You live in the memories of your friends, family, and those who served with you.
Your heroism and sacrifice continues to inspire us.

Jim McNamara, Jr.
Friend

January 11, 2021

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are not forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 11, 2018

It's been fifty years since we lost you Bill.
Still miss you dearly.

James McNamara,Jr
Friend

January 12, 2016

Sir, thank you for your service to your community and to your country. May you rest in peace.

Lt. Milton E. Proctor
Deer Park Police Dept, Oh (Ret)

January 11, 2015

Rest in Peace, Officer Rickabaugh. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

The day of Bill's funeral it was very foggy in Santa Clara. As I got off the city bus and walked to school I could see the red lights of the police cars outside the funeral home. It was only a block from St. Clares school where I was in the sixth grade.
I stood on the corner and watched the cortege pass by. It was surreal to see the red flashing lights and headlights in the fog grow into black and white patrol cars, then disappear again into the fog.
Miss you Bill.

James R. McNamara, Jr.
Friend

January 10, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 44th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I can see from your reflections that you were an amazing man, officer, and friend who impacted the lives of many. I hope to one day meet your family at a NORCAL COPS meeting.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 14, 2010

Bill Rickabaugh quite possibly saved me when I was a young man of 16 and 17, living in Santa Clara. I was a potential "loser", adrift and uncaring. I also rode a motorcycle and thus got to know Bill when he would pull me over on Newhall. He was a gentleman, always firm but kind. He was truly one of a kind.
I am a 60 year old lawyer now, but have never forgotten Bill in the 42 years since his death. I will forever be grateful to him for his kindness and inspiration.

Tom Malone
Minneapolis

tom malone
friend

February 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 3, 2008

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

January 11, 2007

Bill Rickabaugh was one of my fathers best friends. They served together on the Santa Clara Police Department.

On November 21, 1964 my Dad was severely injured by gunfire from point blank range. He was attempting to interview a suspicious person outside of a grocery store when the individual produced a handgun and shot him three times. This confrontation left him with a shattered elbow, the loss of one kidney, and made him a parapaligic for the rest of his life.

I will never forget Bill Rickabaughs loyalty to my Dad during the trying period of recovery. Bill was a constant presence at the hospital, bringing my Dad a television, radio and whatever else he needed.

Bill would also stop by our school to check up on us and give us a ride home when my Mom was at the hospital with my Dad.

Bill and my Dad were very close and so our families spent time together. I have fond memories of barbecues and the beach at Capitola as well as get togethers at our homes. As a kid it was a lot of fun to see Bill pull up along side our car on his police motorcycle going down the El Camino.

He might hit the siren or just rev the engine and smile and then take off down the road. We were so proud that he was our friend.

Bill was killed a little over a year after my Dad was shot. It was a pretty big blow to all of us but especially my Dad. It was the first and one of the only times I ever saw my Dad cry.

My Dad passed away in December 2001 but I know he never forgot about Bill Rickabaugh. No one in my family will ever forget abot you Bill. You are one of our heros and we know that the the Lord must have his hands full with both of you now.

God bless you Bill.

James R. McNamara, Jr.

James R. McNamara,Jr.

December 20, 2005

Rest in peace Officer Rickabaugh

January 11, 2005

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. It is deeply appreciated.

Anonymous

January 11, 2005