Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R.I.P Brother in Blue.
you will never be forgotten.

Officer J P Mills
Chesapeake Police Department

November 29, 2005

THOUGH I ONLY MET YOU A FEW TIMES, I HAVE HEARD SUCH GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOU THRU MY HUSBAND A FELLOW PORTSMOUTH POLICE OFFICER. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING THE PERSON YOU ARE... YOU DIED DOING WHAT YOU LOVED MOST, POLICE WORK. YOU WERE A HERO LONG BEFORE YOU DIED. TO YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS KNOW THAT RICK WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN IN THIS LARGE FAMILY THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE. YOU HAVE MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ALWAYS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING RICK WITH HIS OTHER FAMILY. MY HEART SANK THE DAY I GOT THE NEWS FROM FRIENDS THAT ANOTHER OFFICER WAS GONE. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD LOST A BROTHER THAT DAY. WE WENT TO SEE YOU OFF TODAY. IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND OFFICERS LINED UP ON THE STREET WHEN THEY BROUGHT YOUR FAMILY IN. THE DAY STARTED OUT GREY AND CLOUDY BUT BY THE TIME IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE YOU LET THE SUNSHINE COME THRU. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW YOU WERE THER AND WATCHING YOUR FAMILY.

WIFE OF PORTSMOUTH OFFICER
SUSAN M BACHMAN
DISPATCHER

SUSAN M BACHMAN DISPATCHER II
CHESAPEAKE POLICE VA

November 29, 2005

I worked as a forensics investigator with Ports PD from 1987 - 1998 and Rick was at some of my crime scenes. He was a fine officer and a good friend. I am now working as a Forensic Photographer in Baghdad Iraq supporting NGIC and the FBI and that is why I was not able to attend the funeral. My sympathies are with all of you - Barbie

Barbara (Peirce) Livreri
Ideal Innovations

November 29, 2005

As I watched the services these past days and shed tons of tears. I have never felt so much void and hurt in my life from the loss of a friend. Rick is the epitome of a Police Officer. He is a concerned and caring soul, who was very genuine in his caring. From the smiles, hugs and little jokes. Just know that I respected Officer Spaulding as a wise friend and colleague. He never made me feel like I was not a part of police work. With him out there at night I felt safe. I hope to make as much of a difference in this line of work as he did everynight. Thank you for sharing him with us!

S.LaTisha Branch, Crime Prevention Speci
Portsmouth Police Department

November 29, 2005

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

November 29, 2005

Well Ricker, today was your day. It was all about you and it was absolutely beautiful. It was great to see your smile one more time in the pictures, and dispatch gave you a special salute too, showing your unit 10-5 and secure from duty. The citizens mourned you too. They were lined up along the route from the church to the cemetary. Some people saluted, some waved, some gave an encouraging smile, and some people cried as we passed them. And as the graveside ceremony started, the clouds parted and the sun began to shine....you were there Ricker, shining your light on all of us, telling us it was okay to carry on. I will check on you from time to time and I will still be looking to talk to you at 3 am when I am working 161. Thank you for everything.

Officer Jane Foster
Portsmouth PD

November 28, 2005

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of a loved one in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support. As we personally know, sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Alissa Scott & Lisa Schultz, Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network

November 28, 2005

Rick,
Well my brother you were laid to rest today, not to far from my house. I guess that being you are not that far away, I will have to check on you from time to time. I promise to you that I will continue to check on Monica, Heather, Wesley and Ricky. I feel that it will be my honor and duty to do that for you. I just want to say I will miss your humor, your smile, and the way you wear a hat. I just only wish that the department would allow us to wear the hat more often in your name. I will miss you forever. You befriended me and I want thank you for that. I only wish that I would have been able to work with you more often. You have a great bunch of guys on Midnights. Thank you Rick for allowing me to be your friend. I love ya brother
Git R Done.

Officer Joe Worley (Big Country)
Portsmouth Police Department

November 28, 2005

Rick what can I say, I thought I was the only one that knew you were really just a big Teddy Bear under that tough exterior. I am Honored to have worked with you for the last 12 months of yur career. I only wish it had been longer and ended on different terms. But there I go being selfish again. You have done a fine job mentoring such a beautiful family and rest assured they will be looked after in your brief absence. God Bless and we will see you soon.

Sgt. JS Lilley
Portsmouth Police Dept.

November 28, 2005

Thank you for your dedicated service to your community and your department. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May they never forget your faithful service to your community and department and the brave HERO that you were. To Mrs. Spaulding, children, grandchild, family, friends and co-workers, our heartfelt prayers and sympathies are with you. May God be with you all during this very sorrowful time. Words will never compensate the loss you have suffered. We pray that He now gives you all strength in your time of need. May you find peace in the thought, that we as friends, take this time to lift you up in prayer.

For your act of unselfish bravery and courage Officer Spaulding, we salute you. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Denise & Erin Hunter, Widow and Daughter
Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter, Grand Prairie, TX Police Dept., EOW 6-18-04

November 28, 2005

Rick I only went on a couple of calls with you when I worked over. After only a couple of minutes, I felt like I knew you for ever. You are a person that people are real comfortable around. I never felt like a rookie around you. If I become half the officer you are, I know I will be a good one.
After spending time with Monica, Heather, Rick, Debbie, Claudia, and other family and close friends, I feel like I know you better. What a great family you have, We now have. We will take care of them. We will be there for the two on the way too.
I know you are up there haning out with Dale Sr. too. I know you will be watching over us and keeping us safe. We have the watch now. Rest in peace brother. We all miss you!!!

Officer Howard Harrison
Portsmouth Police Dept.

November 28, 2005

Always a kind word, always a smiling face. Rick you will be dearly missed. May God give strength and peace to your family in your absence and know that our prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for being such a remarkable officer.

Dispatcher Laurie Mengelt
Portsmouth Police Dept.

November 28, 2005

For almost 10 years, I have had the pleasure of working with you. Your courage and the acceptance of all fellow officers goes without saying. As much as you will be missed at work, we will miss more, your being with us outside of work. A great friend and officers physical being may no longer be with us, but your spirit will always be by our side.

my tribute to you
"An Ode to a Brother"
With the rise of a bright new day,
the sun opening the dark night.
Beginning things the same old way,
unaware of the tragic sight.

The day sounds normal,
on the radio its morning rush.
Oblivious to the event so horrible,
a phone call brings about a hush.

A mind full of uncertainty and disbelief,
no definite answers to the question we all fear.
Time moves slowly with no relief,
have I lost someone so dear?

Sun shining for those who do not know,
the tragedy most of us have learned.
Sadness continues to grow,
our lives forever have turned.

A friend, a father, a brother
gone so soon.
Above of us you now hover,
watching over us with the moon.

Det. John M. Doyle
Portsmouth Police Dept.

November 28, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Patrolman Rick Spaulding, and the Portsmouth P.D. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Patrolman Spaulding, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

November 28, 2005

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

November 28, 2005

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

PTM. K. MCGEE
MURPHY,TX POLICE

November 27, 2005

Very few people in my life have had such a profound effect on me like the way that you have. From the first time we met, I felt that we were friends my entire life. From my family to yours, our heartfelt and deepest condolences go out to you. May the weight of your family's sorrow be lightened by the knowledge that you were one of the most loved men on this earth. You will be truly missed every day of our lives.

FTO Michael Laccone
Portsmouth Police Department

November 27, 2005

I cannot express the pain I feel right now. Everything everyone has said about Rick is true. Rick was one of my training officers and the night I first met him, he looked intimidating. "Hi, I'm Rick, let's get started" he said as he extended his hand and presented that genuine smile.

Though I never met Rick's family, I feel I know them. Rick was so proud of them and spoke of them often. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

I never heard Rick utter a bad thing about anyone. In fact, it was not uncommon for him to offer words of encouragement to some of the criminals he arrested.

It is with a heavy heart that I say, rest in peace Rick, we have your beat covered. You are sorely missed.

Officer Larry Kramer
Portsmouth Police Department

November 27, 2005

In Valor there is Hope. Rest in Peace, Brother.

P.O. Chris Welby
Bridgeton, Mo. PD

November 27, 2005

Thank you for your service. Praying for your family.
Tracey DeLitta Tousley

Heroes get up each day,
To dress in blue,
They patrol our streets,
Watching our cities,
Keeping us safe each day.

Making a difference,
We often over look.

How many have we forgotten?

How many are gone,
Lost in the line of duty?

We wait 'til it's too late,
To acknowledge all they've done,
To give them our respect.

The least we can do,
Is give them their due,
Before we lose another,
Hero dressed in blue.

Tracey DeLitta Tousley
Daughter of fallen officer David DeLitta

November 27, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!!!

SAMUEL L. DIGBY POLICE OFFICER
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

November 27, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER
SPAULDING, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

November 27, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept.

November 27, 2005

Brother Rick, may you rest in peace knowing that your family in blue will take care of your immediate family in need. May you rest knowing that we as a LEO family will come together and get them through this tragedy. God speed sir, we have the watch from here.

Friends of Larry R Cox EOW 4/21/05
Chillicothe Ohio Police Department

November 27, 2005

I met Rick when I was a Chesapeake officer working midnights. We would meet from time to time, when checking buildings. I was convinced, in part, to come to Portsmouth PD, after meeting him. He was a professional, friendly, courteous officer. In short, he was a true brother.

Rick, we will miss you.

Det. K. W. Saucer
Portsmouth Police Department

November 27, 2005