Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your sacrifice Officer Wendtlandt. I was a police cadette in May 1981, when you were injured. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Lieutenant Shirley Key
Miami-Dade Police Department

February 9, 2012

To his family and brother officers I give my sympathy, and to Officer Wentlandt I salute, I pray for him and his family, as has been said many times before, Officer Wentlandt is a true hero, a credit to our country and especially to the law enforcement community, we should all embrace his courage and commitment. My God Bless Richard and may he rest in peace!!!

Lt. Wayne Larkin
Framingham Aux Police, Framingham, MA

February 9, 2012

Your dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten Officer Wentlandt. You are the true definition of an American Hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

February 9, 2012

Thank you sir, for your courage and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for saving that woman's life. That is the definition of a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!

May you forever, continue to rest in peace, my brother...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

February 9, 2012

Rest in peace Officer Wentlandt, for what you went through and how you suffered, your courage will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 13, 2011

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Heros are never truly gone. Remembering you today.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

March 15, 2011

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all, and you sir are one of them. May you continue to rest in peace.

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

Anonymous

March 15, 2011

Rick: I think of you often, our conversations before and after the shooting are a treasure. You are an example of how officers should act and an example of react. You are a true cop's cop.

David Rivers, Sgt. (ret)
Metro-Dade Police Department

March 3, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 15, 2010

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know that, even after all these years, they do not grieve alone.

Vicki Hare
Salisbury NC PD

October 30, 2009

Risk is(not was) my younger brother never at any time while he was alive was I ever ashamed of him, there was never the need. Rick stood up for his beliefs, he loved his job, for this I have ALWAYS had the utmost respect for him.

I was destined to serve my country as a Marine & a Soldier, rick was destined to serve his community, we both knew that at some time we may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, he was called upon first. Big brother wasn't able to help him this time.

I visited Rick in his Florida home not long before he left this world to a better place, it was difficult to see my once healthy sibbling insuch pain. He was confined to a wheel chair with a very long oxygen tube to breathe, he didn't show it but you could see in his that he hated it.
After serving my time in the military you know when the end is near. I returned to Texas knowing full well I would NOT see him alive again. But know this, the man fought to the very end.

If you read the synopsis you will not read the whole story of that night, it may be for a reason so I will not tell it as told to by Rick.

My one concern is that the low life coward that took his life is probably back on the streets. If I were to say on here what I want to do about him, I would be in trouble, suffice to say he does NOT deserve to be alive.

I want to thank the lady involved , if she is still alive, she saved Ricks life by getting on the radio for him, he was shoot in the mouth and could not make the call. To her son, who as I understad it is a police officer, thank you also for carrying on for Rick!!

Little brother, do you remeber your fears about being drafted and going to Vietnam? I told you then you would NOT go, I would go in your place. I believe my exact words were, "you're just dumb enough to get shot, you wouldn't survive in battle. Well you went and screwed me up, you did your job and stuck your neck out to save another. I applaud you.

You survived a boating accident that would have killed a normal man, as did you survive a shooting that would have killed a normal man, so along comes a disease beat you only by wearing you down.

To have the Survival Center named after you and then a street in Miami, I am humbled by you!

There is so much more I could say about Rick, but it would become a book.

So I will close this by saying, R.I.P. "NIGHTSTICK" R.I.P.

I love you brother, Bill

William (Bill) Wentlandt
U.S.M.C 63-67--U.S Army 75-90 (retired) Ricks Brother

July 2, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 16, 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

December 14, 2007

While I have read many amazing stories on this website, I was struck wordless at your story. I can only marvel at the human spirit and the courage it took to "not let him kill you". I know your suffering has ended. God bless the families that miss you.

CO Heather Jenkins
Covington Police Dept, LA

September 17, 2007

You will always be remembered REST IN PEACE BROTHER ...

MIAMI-DADE-POLICE-DEPARTMENT

March 29, 2007

May you now have sweet sleep and may Our Lord ever bless you and your loved ones.

March 15, 2007

Rest in Peace, P.O. Wentlandt.

Detective
Chicago, IL. Police Department

March 5, 2007

The Policeman's Last Roll Call....

The Policeman stood and faced his god, which must always come to pass. He
hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass. "Step foward
now Policeman. How shall I deal with you ? Have you always turned the other
cheek? To my church have you been true ?"

The Policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I haven't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around anyways,
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Anonymous
Miami-Dade Police Department

December 19, 2006

Although I never knew this man and would see his face almost every day going to "Survival City" which bares a plaque with his face and the qoute which stays with me to this day "I wouldn't let him kill me." he embodies to me what it means to be courages, fearless and self sacrificing. I hope if I am ever caught in a situation like his I can face it with the courage he did. God Bless you Rick. Most of us new guys never knew you but your memory lives to this day.

Anonymous
Miami-Dade Police Dept.

December 19, 2006

I never new my uncle Rick. I knew of the shooting and was made aware of his death. I miss having had the opportunity to have such an upstanding, outstanding man in my life. I hope he does see this life. I am raising a son who is truly the (physical) spitting image of my uncle, and were he alive today, I would do all in my power to offer a relationship. They say "you can't miss what you did not have", but I do! God Bless!

Christa Rodgers
Neice

September 28, 2006

During my tenure as a Training Officer/Supervisor I always used this man "My Hero" as an example of what you must do in order to survive. Richard was unbelievable in his determination to save his victim's life. And, he set a standard for law enforcement that may never be achieved by any other officer. To our fallen Hero Rick.

Sergeant M. Kahn
MDPD

June 14, 2006

To Officer Richard Wentlandt, and his loved ones:

On this the ninth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Officer Wentlandt, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

You suffered for many years after you were shot and your struggle was one of valor.

Rest in Peace, Officer Richard Wentlandt. Your courage and dedication humble me.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Wentlandt gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 15, 1997 and the intervening years since 1981.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 16, 2006

You will always be remembered. God bless brother.

Police Officer
N. Palm Beach PD

December 16, 2005

YOU SIR ARE A TRUE HERO. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD. THANK YOU. R.I.P.

THANKFUL CITIZEN

August 24, 2005

This is truly a very sad event, and I am proud to be entering an organization, and a career filled with heroes like this officer. I hope Officer Wentlandt's family finds comfort in knowing their hero died not in vain, butby his dedication, and love of his work...."Blessed are the peacekeeper's, for they are the children of GOD"....

Michael Huffman
Cadet , Victoria, Texas College Police Academy

March 15, 2005