Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On this the 50th anniversary of your EOW, we gathered together in Riviera Beach to honor your passing. We’d like everyone to know you’ve never been forgotten. You remain in our hearts and prayers and are still missed. RIP Skip
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police
Oconomowoc Wisconsin
Former RBPD Sgt 351 and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
Former Communication officer RBPD

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police Oconomowoc Wisconsin

April 5, 2024

Officer Runck,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Riviera Beach. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 5, 2024

I remember the day like it was yesterday. You were my FTO and dropped me off at the station to help out in dispatch. One of the 2 Communication personnel was sick and had to go home. My job was to answer the phones. I can still remember the lady screaming into the phone. "Police Officer has been shot. You need to send help." I wish I could have been there with you.
I had to leave police work a while to clear my head. I ended up working at PBSO and retired as a Sergeant after 27 years.
I will never forget you.

Sgt. Mark C. Bohne
Retired: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

April 3, 2024

49 years ago today ! You are not forgotten Skip. You remain in our heart and memories. Prayers for your family.
John E Roelandts former RBPD Sgt 351
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
Former Communications RBPD

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2023

Officer Skip Runck was one of the best officers I had the pleasure to work with and supervise in my 38 year career! He was professional and respected all people and was an excellent verbal communicator. Being a United States Marine certainly helped in his police work. I was a young lieutenant assigned as a patrol division watch commander when Officer Runck started working with us. I helped carry his casket. He will forever remain in my thoughts. Wish I could have been on that call with you on that awful day
Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice.
James O. FitzGerald
Retired chief at Riviera B each and Palm Beach Gardens.

Chief of police James FitzGerald
Riviera Beach Police

April 8, 2022

48 years today. Donna and your family are in our thoughts and prayers today. RBPD is having a memorial to honor you today. Wish we could be there.
You are never forgotten and you remain in our hearts and memories.
RIP Skip.
Chief John Roelandts (retired) TOWN OF OCONOMOWOC POLICE
Former RBPD SGT 351
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
Former communications officer. RBPD

Chief John Roelandts (retired )
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2022

Thank you so much for remembering Skip. Always in our hearts.

Donna Cullum
Widow

April 7, 2021

Another year has passed, and yet every April 5th brings us back to that terrible day in Riviera Beach. 47 years now since we lost you on that miserable Friday afternoon in the pouring rain. We never would have thought our tour would end with the loss of you. We question why it had to happen to you. Our memories of you continue to live in our hearts and memories. You are missed Skip and until we see you again, we will never ever forget the sacrifice you made that day.
Donna and your family always are in our thoughts.
RIP Skip,
Former Sgt John Roelandts, Riviera Beach Police
Deborah Sikes Roelandts (former communications officer )

Chief John Roelandts retired
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2021

It has been 46 years. I have been in touch with your brother, Tom and his wife. You are still and forever missed.

Donna, Widow

April 5, 2020

Today is 46 years since that terrible day. April 5, 1974. A day that always burns in our memory. You are missed Skip. Until we see you again , RIP
John and Debbi Roelandts
former RBPD Sgt and Communications officer

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Runck.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 5, 2019

45 years today. A day that will forever live in our memories and hearts. You are not forgotten. Another Friday, just as it was the day we lost you.
RIP Skip until we see you again
Chief John Roelandts (retired ) Town of Oconomowoc Police former RBPD Sgt and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts former RBPD Communication Officer and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired )
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2019

I was nine years old in 1975, yet I remember the incident as if it took place yesterday. My father, then-a Riviera Beach Police Officer, responded to a telephone call from Det. Doug West, one of my dad's best friends and fellow officer, describing the incident. Soon thereafter we watched the news about the incident and excerpts from the funeral that took place a couple of days later. Later that year a baseball field was renamed to Runck's honor.

Reynaldo Acosta, Support Services, CSU
Riviera Beach PD

May 12, 2018

44 years ago today we lost one of our own, one of our best, one who we all will remember the rest of our life. Those of us that were lucky to know him and call him friend, will never forget that day .Riviera Beach Police would never be the same and our memories reflect on that tragic day .and we will always keep a place in our heart for Meredith "Skip" Runck. RIP Skip and someday we will see you again.
Chief John Roelandts (retired ) Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sgt and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts RBPD Communications Officer and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin 53066

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2018

43 years and yet it seems like yesterday on a miserable rainy day in South Florida. RIP Skip you are missed and you have never been forgotten friend
Chief John Roelandts (retired) Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sgt and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former RBPD Communications Officer and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin 53066

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2017

Well it's been around five and a half years since I've posted on this site about fallen Officer "Skip" Runck, Jr. I mentioned that back in 1993 when I was a brand new Officer in Riviera Beach my Field Training Officer Paul Peterson brought me into the Department's lobby and showed me Officer Runck's picture and Medal of Honor hanging on the wall. He told me to never forget his name and face and told me what he did and died for. Some 24 years later, I am now that "old guy" who is the Field Training Officer. I bring my new Officers into the lobby and show them that same picture and Medal of Honor and tell them to always remember what he did and died for. He is not forgotten.

Field Training Officer Joe Hoffman
Riviera Beach Police Department

January 10, 2017

Rest in peace Officer Runck. I remembered hearing of your slaying along with that of Hallandale Beach Officer, Austin Hepburn, Jr. killed in 1973. Thank you for your bravery. The residents of Riviera Beach have not forgotten you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2016

Yesterday marked the 42nd anniversary of your death. You remain in our hearts and memories. RIP Skip you are missed
Chief John Roelandts (retired) Town of Oconomowoc Police
former Sgt RBPD and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former Communications officer RBPD and friend

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 6, 2016

Your selfless service and ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Riviera Beach will never be forgotten, rest in peace sir.

Police Chief
North Palm Beach Police Department

January 13, 2016

41 years have passed since your death. You remain in our hearts. You will never be forgotten. RIP Skip
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sgt and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former Communication Officer RBPD and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roeland
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2015

This is my first time on this page. Skip Runck was my best friend, from College. He was a groomsman in our wedding . I was in his 51 weeks prior to his death. I miss him all the time. I know that he loved Donna very much. I was glad to see him happy.Its been over 40 years, but the hurt is still there.
Donna if you read this please contact me.

Alston Kelley
Best a Friend

November 26, 2014

It was forty years ago today. You are not forgotten.

N/A
Donna, Widow

April 5, 2014

On the 40th. anniversary of this tragedy I Thank You
Officer Runck for your service. God bless you and may you have eternal peace.
As I am in Church tonight I will hold You and Donna in my prayer intentions.

Jim O'Brien
Nephew of Officer Joe O'Brien EOW 12/24/1968

April 5, 2014

Forty years ago today, we lost a fellow officer and friend. You live on in our hearts and memories. RIP Skip you are not /and never will be forgotten.
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sgt and Friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former RBPD Communication officer and friend

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2014

I went to the police academy with "Skip" Runck. He was the first officer I knew who was killed in the line of duty and had a lasting impact on my career. Perhaps Skip's tradegy kept me safe.

Retired Deputy Cheif Philip Sweeting
Boca Raton

April 11, 2013