Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Wentlandt. You were so brave and honorable the day you were shot six times and living with pain and agony years later until God took your angelic spirit back to heaven to walk your eternal beat.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 15, 2023

Officer Wentlandt,
25 years later you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Metro-Dade County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 16, 2022

UNCLE RICK!! Oh how you've been my inspiration for so many things over these years. And now your brother, (my daddy William Edward Wentlandt) joins you in heaven. He missed you so much. We all do. Much love uncle Rick! Your niece, Christa Jean Wentlandt Solpietro

Christa Wentlandt Solpietro
Niece

February 28, 2021

Rest in eternal peace

Mark Mottola

March 15, 2020

Thank you Rick for sharing your story with our class, BLE 82, many years ago now. I've never forgotten the impact of your story on me and your message to continually prepare mentally for the unexpected and know you can survive. I lived with this as a mantra for all my career, thanks to you. You were a great police officer and always a pleasure to speak with when our paths crossed. God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Detective F/LT. Thomas P. Riley, Retired
Michigan State Police (1987-2012), Metro-Dade Police (1982-1987)

March 17, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

Rick was my Training Adviser in the academy. He was a great inspiration in helping us prepare for our future careers in law enforcement. I recall him telling us of a few other incidents he had and was lucky to survive.

Det. Brett Nichols
MDPD

June 19, 2016

Richard is my cousin

Gloria turner
Cousin

October 4, 2015

i first met rick when he came to speak to our class ble 123. he played the dispatch tape of that night, the night that changed his life and career. when it was done, an eerie silence fell over the room and rick proceeded to tell us in detail what occured that night and what transpired after relating to his life.he advised that due to his wounds he was forced to leave the job he loved. he described the will to live and not give up and everyone of us left that room with awe and reverence and a a belief if faced with same odds we would overcome just as rick did. throughout my career i always remembered this and id see rick every once in a while. he was a great guy very down to earth and pleasant to talk to. survival city is named after him and i couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to his memory. rest in peace rick.

lou sacco
mdpd

May 18, 2014

OK, I have the photograph now. It is a great picture of Richard. It was taken by the press when he was awarded "Officer of the Quarter" by the North Dade Chamber of Commerce on July 30th, 1981.
It's a little 5x7 black & white and I know his family would love to have the original press photo.
Please feel free to contact me...

Chief Geoff Jacobs
Porterdale (GA) Police Dept.

August 5, 2013

My name is Geoff Jacobs. I am currently the Police Chief in Porterdale, GA. I have been in Law Enforcement since 1974 when I started my career at the Dade County Jail. I worked there for a couple of years and then on to Opa-Locka PD for 5 years, Palm Beach County and then finally moving to Georgia where I've been in LE since.

I grew up, basically, in Dade County, and went to Miami Norland Sr. High with William (Bill) Cook, who was also an officer with the Dade County Public Safety Department and also murdered in cold blood on-duty, while serving the citizens of Dade County, on May 16th, 1979.

I sincerely hope that the Wentlandt family will accept my deepest, heartfelt condolences for the loss of their loved one, Richard. Although it is history, although it may have been meant to be this way, it just seems ridiculous to me, that such valuable, brave young men must give their useful lives for what seems like, nothing, sometimes. I'm sure that in God's eyes, however, it was for everything pure and innocent, that they were there to protect us.

In any event, I ran across a picture of Richard on Ebay, of all places, that was apparently taken by a news agency after he won an award for Officer of the Year or Month or something. I recognized the name immediately and purchased the picture.

I would like to return it to the family at NO cost.

God Bless You All...

Chief Geoff Jacobs
Porterdale (GA) Police Dept.

July 30, 2013

Officer Wentlandt,
Sir, even though it has been 16 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served in Vietnam. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

May 8, 2013

I was working a summer job in the NW corner of miami dade and on my way to work that morning I saw a massive search and perimeter underway. from the Palmetto Expressway I could see a lone little shack near a church and I wondered if I was a criminal would I hide there. Lo and behold that is where MDPD found the offender. Fast forward 12 years and I am now in law enforcement and getting certified as an Officer Survival Instructor and Rick Wentlandt came to address us and recounted each and every moment of the fateful day. An encounter and course of dialogue I will never forget. Rest in Peace

Offiecr Michael Hearns
Coral Gables Police (26 years)

January 29, 2013

Officer Rick Wentlandt Badge #2607

I had the honor to meet officer Wentlandt during officer survival training as a rookie in the academy back in 1988. He instantly became my mentor and I always remembered his will to survive, bravery and unselfish dedication with which he served. He also let me know that I had his badge number. Rick, thank you for letting me wear "Superman's Badge". May you rest in peace and may your family find peace in knowing you were truly a hero and you will not be forgotten.
God Bless you my brother.

Officer Jose Capablanca, badge #2607
MDPD Retired

April 12, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Officer Wentlandt, we will never forget the sacrifice that you made for all of us. HEROES live forever, and you sir are a hero...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

March 15, 2012

This criminal does not deserve to see freedom for his crimes, NO Parole!

Officer Jonathan Gray
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

February 14, 2012

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

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

NO PAROLE FOR A PERSON TOOK THE LIFE OF A POLICE OFFICER,,NO PAROLE..

OFFICER DWIGHT E STONE, RETIRED
MIDDLETOWN REG HOSPITAL SECUTITY/POLICE DEPT.

February 14, 2012

A convicted officer killer who has such little regard for peace and justice and is willing to end a life that protects it has no place in our a civilized society. Please reconsier your sentencing.
Timothy Stene

Deputy Timothy Stene
Sweet Grass Sheriffs Office

February 13, 2012

He killed an officer who interupted him as he was raping a woman, whom he probably would have killed as he raped her. No telling how many he had previously raped. He should not get the opportunity to harm anyone else.

Jeanne DeSilver
RN

February 13, 2012

Convicted killers of Law enforcement officers should never be considered for Parole . They obviously have no respect for life and for the Individuals who have the difficult job of upholding the Law
Thank toy for your consideration in this sentencing

William Heizer Paramedic
Randall County Fire Dept,

February 13, 2012

Do not let these animals free !

Kenny Smith
N.Y.P.D Transit Bureau

February 13, 2012

Rest in peace and may god watch over your family and friends ,also i believe that if you kill a police officer you should get the death penalty or no parole at all , please keep this inmate from getting out.

woodrow washington
my cousin is a district attorney for cooks county court house ,IL.

February 13, 2012

Someone who has no respect for the law, clearly has no respect for any citizens. Raping a women and shooting an officer, there is no reason this man should be free.

Lauren
Police wife

February 13, 2012

Convicted cop killers should never get parole under any circumstance. Pls reconsider the sentencing. Linda Butcher Keystone Heights, Fl

Captain
JFRD

February 13, 2012