Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My father was killed by Charles M*** on February 13, 1970 in a hold up. May G-d bless officer Riddick’s memory and soul.

Charles Telerant

June 24, 2023

Your selfless actions that day are the best of heroism. Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

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

April 23, 2021

Rest in peace, brother. Your service to your community and country are not forgotten.

Capt. Steve Bezet
Plaquemine, La. Police Department (Ret.)

July 16, 2020

Officer Riddick,
On today, the 50th 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. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 23, 2020

God bless you and thank you for your service

Mark Mottola

April 23, 2020

Earl, I am writing this on the eve of the 50th anniversary of your death. You and I were partners; you were one of my last training officers as I was about to get off probation in May, 1970. We were scheduled to work again on the PM watch on April 23, 1970. I remember going into the locker room to change when another officer told me what happened and that you died. I remember that moment as if it was yesterday. We soldered on and we all went to work that night and all of us at Southwest Division had heavy hearts.

I remember standing watch over your body at the mortuary prior to your funeral and thinking about some of the calls we went to, and about you as my training officer. You were a quiet, professional cop who died trying to stop a very dangerous criminal. I was one of the pallbearers the day we laid you to rest at Holly Cross Cemetery. I have never forgotten you, nor have I forgotten the day you died a hero. I can't believe it has been 50 years old friend!

Rest in peace Earl

Ken Welty, Lieutenant retired
LAPD

April 22, 2020

Rest in peace Policeman Riddick along with your beloved wife.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 18, 2019

Earl's wife, Brenda Rose, passed away on the 10th of September services will beheld at Holy Cross Cemetery on September 18th. They are now reunited in God's presence never be separated. At a recent department funeral the priest stated that the mother of the deceased, a murdered police office, was the mother of a Martyr the mother of a saint. We can equally say that Brenda was the wife of a saint and David and all the children are kids of a saint. I hope to attend this service for Brenda. Chaplain Frank Hicks

Police Chaplain Frank Hicks
Los Angeles Police Department

September 16, 2019

No matter how you cut it, Officer Earl Leonard Riddick was a hero. May his wife and children remember him as a man who stood tall in the Thin Blue Line.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

April 23, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 48th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 23, 2018

A long-retired LAPD officer wrote a note to me this week, over 40 years after this murder, and it was so gripping, the memories burned in his mind, not of the killing, but of participation in the funeral and the impact on other police officers. Most potent were his words about the American flag slowly being folded, handed to the captain, who handed it to the chief, who gave it to the widow. All I could think of, is how much the NFL kneeling must hurt police officers, the symbol of the flag is so very strong at police funerals. Those who look at the flag as just a piece of fabric, or even something evil, will never.....never understand.

Police Issues Writer
Widow, husband LASD and then Federal

December 22, 2017

Officer Riddick sounds like a man who was not easily intimidated. May he rest in peace.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

April 23, 2017

I knew officer Riddick from elementary school. We played on sand lots to the fields at Lincoln High. Woody, as we called him was not only a good athlete but a Gentleman as well. Woody was killed not long after I came on the LAPD.

We were always told in situations like woody faced that day" mark the car" which he did. I believe woody learned this from those days on the ball field where it could be heard, " Don't Die bab Don't Die.

Woody did a good job that day.

Frank Petty LAPD Ret.

Frank Petty P-3
LAPD Ret.

August 19, 2015

Thank you Officer Riddick for your quick thinking. Your sacrifice may well have saved many lives.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

April 22, 2015

Rest in Peace, Policeman Riddick. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 14, 2012

Ive had the pleasure of knowing and working with your son over these last 15 years. He is extremely proud of your leagacy and rightfully so.Continue to Rest in Peace. Chris Green Sr.

Police Ofcr III Chris Green Sr
LAPD

September 15, 2010

Officer Riddick rest in peace. You were a true Police Officer. Jeff Jaynes, Arizona Highway Patrol-Williams Arizona near Grand Canyon.

Officer Jeff Jaynes
Arizona Highway Patrol

July 14, 2010

Thank you southwest division for remembering our father in honoring him on this 40year anniversary of his passing. Our family is doing very well.We appreciate your love and support. Many Blessings Brenda,David,Dana and Deborah

Anonymous

April 23, 2010

I am writing this on the 40th Anniversary of my father's death. I just wanted to give a word of thanks and gratitude to all who have left kind words on this site. I am celebrating 15 Years of service to the LAPD and have tried to honor my Dad's name during that time. His loss is still very difficult to deal with at times. My Dad was an "Officer's Officer" based on all of the things his peer's have expressed to me. Being an LAPD officer has given me an insight to what kind of man he was. I want to thank the ODMP staff for having a place on the Web where these true heroes can be remembered.

Thanks Again,

Police Officer III David K. Riddick
Los Angeles Police Department

Officer David K. Riddick
LAPD - Son

April 23, 2010

Policeman Riddick - Thanks for your service to the people of Los Angeles. Your sacrifice shall never be forgotten. May God grant you eternal rest and may His perpetual light shine upon you.

Chief K. Moreland (Ret. Sgt.)
Palmer Lake, CO PD (Ret. LAPD)

April 14, 2010

I love u

Your youngest daughter
Deborah Riddick

Anonymous

February 7, 2010

May you rest in peace and you and the service you provided has not been forgotten. My prayers go out to you and your family and friends.

[email protected]
Columbus (OH) Police Dept.

January 16, 2010

Remembering your service and sacrifice on this anniversary of your death. Your service with the LAPD happened at a very tumultuous time. My father, now retired from LAPD, was also shot around this time. Thank you for working to keep the citizens of the greater LA area safe during a dangerous time. It makes me especially proud to read the posting that your son is a sworn officer!

May your family find comfort in their loving memories and the knowledge that their fallen officer will never be forgotten.

Michelle Roberge Walker
Surviving Spouse, CHP Lt. Michael Walker EOW 12-31-05

April 23, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 39th 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 the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 39 years after you were killed.

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

I am sure you are proud that your son followed in your footsteps of your legacy of service.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya

March 28, 2009

Today, I discussed Your shooting with less - tenured supervisors. Tomorrow, I will make it a part of Roll Call Training.......May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 23, 2008