Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Sergeant Pope.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 24, 2023

Sgt. Pope,
On today, the 25th 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 USN. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 9, 2021

Son, I love you!
You are always in my heart and thoughts. I get sad the closer to the date you left us. You left me with so much love, happiness and joy. Remembering you as a outstanding son, father, bother, grandson, friend and all that got the honor of knowing you.
Until the day we meet again Where I get to see that great smile and your arms around me again. I love those hugs.
Missing you so much
Mom

Mom
Mom

October 5, 2020

Just past a sign on I-385 in Fountain Inn, SC. SGT Rick Pope Memorial Highway. WTF? I was on the USS Richmond K Turner CG-20 with a Rick Pope...Sadly google has informed me that another shipmate is gone. The first time I ate crawfish was at his Dads house in Mississippi, good times! Thanks for all the fun and crazy memories!
I am Glad to have known you and it was an honor to have served with you!

STG2 Maniche
US Navy

November 22, 2018

15 Years ago, we still haven't forgotten. Miss you friend..

Scott Robinson
FIPD/GPD

October 9, 2011

I am SO sorry to hear about Ricky's passing. I knew him (and Michael & Julia) from Eleuthera, Bahamas when I was stationed in the Navy with his father. He was a fun, funny and a sweetheart of a kid. He wasn't quite 16 when I last saw him. You will always be remembered.

Suzy Johnson (Lawrence)
old family friend

May 19, 2011

I can't believe it's been 13 years already. I think about you everyday. i miss you friend.

Jan Garrett
Friend--- GCEMS

October 30, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 13th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 9, 2009

Brother....I know you are with me every step of the way. I have not forgotten you, how could I? This is the hardest time of every year. Between trying to celebrate your grand entry into this world, the celebration of your son and then the departure of my loving, sincere, honest, proud and unbelievably remarkable brother!!! I miss you and I love you. It still hurts that you aren't here. The pain and emptiness never goes away. You are truly loved and you will never be FORGOTTEN!

Julia Pope Griffin
Sister

September 1, 2009

I was looking through the Richmond K Turner Reunion Websites and found one that listed the passing of our former shipmates.

I was shocked to run across this particular name. I was onboard the USS Richmond K Turner, CG-20 from 1986 to 1989. Sergeant Pope was then, Seaman Pope. We were in 1st Division doing all the dirty jobs no one else wanted to do.

Its ironic that we both chose to do the dirty job no one else wants to do.(Police Officer) I got out of the Navy in 1996 after 11 years of service. I was on terminal leave when his accident occured.

Seeing his picture brought back memories I had though I had forgotten long ago. Listening to him badmouth the navy :) How he couldnt wait to get out....but he was always right there to do what had to be done. He was a pleasure to be around....and party with ;) We were all young and wild back then. The old Boatswains Mate creed...work hard, party even harder. Carlton Patrick Pope...will always be my shipmate. I am proud to have known him, and serve with him.
May you have fair winds and following seas. May God bless and keep your wife and child.

Corporal Jim Davis
Hoover Dam Police, Shipmate-USS RK Turner

July 27, 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

November 16, 2007

On the anniverssary of your death we remember you and thank you Sir for your service

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

October 9, 2007

Rick,

I wish I could have got to know you better. As a rookie officer I only worked with you for a few months. I value all of what you taught me. I look back at the photos of you spraying me with pepper spray during my certification (your smile lets me believe you enjoyed it more than I). I remember your last day of duty and saying goodbye later that morning. I just wanted to let you know that I will never forget you and what you taught me in life and in your death. 9/16/2007

Max Young
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP Officer Maxwell Young
Friend

September 16, 2007

Dad,

I miss you and really wish youy could have been here for all that ive been through and hope to see you again someday!

love you!

Austin Lee Pope
Son

June 10, 2007

Although it has been 10 years now you are still deeply missed by all of us. There is not a day that goes by brother, that I do not think of you. I miss my protector, brother and my best friend.
The day will come dear brother when all the answers will be told. Until then, I will never stop.

Julia Pope Griffin
Sister

May 13, 2007

you my are so missed, your laugh, your smile, just your way. I called you friend on many days. Thank you for all that you did and for watching over us all now.

February 22, 2007

A decade has passed and you have not been forgotten. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

October 9, 2006

Ten yrs. later-fallen but NOT forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

October 8, 2006

You are still missed by family, friends and co-workers. May you rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

August 12, 2006

YOU GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE JOB YOU LOVED. RIP MY BROTHER IN BLUE

K. MCGEE
MPD,TX

May 17, 2006

I just read your story and wanted to say thank you for your service, sarge.

Rest in Peace, and may god be with you always.

Police Sergeant
Metro-Boston Massachusetts

May 10, 2006

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE,,,
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNWON THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

BROTHER, THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ANOTHER...MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

March 12, 2006

Sergeant Pope, rest in peace my brother in blue. May God bless your family.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

February 15, 2006

Rick never got to say thanks for watching out for me in your younger days on the RK Turner. I knew your wife when we were in MS I can only hope she has found peace and passes along to your son what a great man and friend you were to so many. god bless

Doug Mitchell
Barrington NH

January 9, 2006

I was in my rookie year at the time you gave the ultimate sacrifice. May the Lord bless your wife and son.

Ofc. C.M. Weippert
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

July 13, 2005