Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

July 5, 2007 will forever be a day that changed my life forever. My fiance and kids were the first to arrive and call in the death of you. As I heard my fiance call in a police officer 10-0 all I could think of was this man i was looking at laying in front of me. My first thought went out to Connie although I did not know her name I only knew her by the ring on your finger. As I sat and prayed for her and you i thought about my three children in the back sit and pray that if you had any children that God would be wrapping his arms around your wife and family. Sitting in the chaos of the moment I did not know you personally but my heart mourned for you because you were a brother to my fiance and you were protecting your community. I still do not understand all the feelings or what I'm suppose to feel. Just know you were not alone we were there will you and praying for you and your family. When I met Connie at the viewing and hugged her I felt a bond with her because I had prayed and cried for her so much. I pray daily that God will bless your family and I hope one day when everyone is ready to be able to let Connie know that she has a friend that she may not know but is out there thinking of her daily and her family. I've learned so many great things about you and its unexplainable to feelings of saddness I have for your family and the state police. They have been wonderful with your family from what i've learned and they have been wonderful with us. I hope one day i will finally get to meet you up in heaven because you are loved my many people and you and your family are a part of my life and who i am now.
God bless and thank you for all you did.

Angel Corlett
Fiance of Tim Cleveland 1st Srg State Excise

July 26, 2007

Master Trooper Rich,
I just read of your passing today and I am deeply saddened. We have never met but you were my brother and all I ask of you now is that you watch our backs from above. God bless you brother.

"A Part of America Died"
Somebody killed a policeman today,
and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect,
will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battle field too,
just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.

Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all,
and a part of America died.

©1984 America Police Hall of Fame
North Port, Florida

Officer Christina Hardy
Walla Walla Department of Veterans Affairs

July 24, 2007

God Speed Brother

Tina/Reserve Deputy
ACSO, SC

July 23, 2007

My heart and prayers go out to Trooper Rich's wife, daughter, and twin sons. Also to his fellow troopers in the Indiana State Police. God bless you all.

Chaplain
White County Sheriff's Department, Arkansas

July 20, 2007

An officer's wife's worst nightmare. I can't even imagine what Mrs. Rich is going through. My heart broke when I heard the news of his death. I believe we all have a purpose on earth, but the reasons escape us. Who knows what the murderer had planned to do that fateful day? God's angels are the men and women who serve our country so proud. May he rest in peace, and my thoughts and prayers to the family of our fallen comrade.

Retired Police Chief's Wife
Ohio

July 19, 2007

We passed each other many times along U.S. 24, you would always wave and show your comforting and reassuring grin. I felt safer knowing you were out there, doing your very best to protect each and everyone of us. I still shed tears everyday when I pass your memorial at the spot where you fell. God Bless your soul. God bless Connie and and all of your family who grieve for you. Thank you.

M. MULLETT
CITIZEN

July 19, 2007

May God be with you and your family as he has been with ours. May he give your strength and courage to face each new day. And may he bring you peace in the days and weeks ahead. We will remember Master Trooper David Rich in our prayers.

Jennifer M. Mooney
Sister of DFC Hilery Mayo Jr. EOW 6/09/07 STPSO

July 19, 2007

Dave...my thoughts go out to your family and friends and to your extended family in blue. I know that you wouldn't have wanted such a big deal made out of all this, but it was an honor to be at your funeral. To see all the people out paying their respects to you while driving to the grave site was very moving, and to see so many Officers made me feel lucky to be a part of such a great family. It was too bad that some low-life coward wanted it to end this way.
To all your close friends at Peru Post District 16...I can only imagine the pain and loss of such a good friend and partner. Rest in Peace Dave, and always remember, We will continue the fight.
Lt. Jon Richardson
Peru Police Dept.
Peru, In

Lt. Jon Richardson
Peru Police Dept.

July 18, 2007

Some words for a fallen brother...

"Nine planets round the sun
Only one does the sun embrace
Upon this watered one
So much to we take for granted

So let us sleep outside tonight
Lay down in his mother's arms
For here he can rest safely

If green should slip to grey
Would our hearts still bloody beat
If the mountains crumble away
And the river dry
Would it stop our stepping feet

Whoa let us sleep outside tonight
Lay down in his mother's arms
For here he can rest safely

Take all that we can get
When it's done
Nobody left to bury us
Nobody left to dig the holes
And here he will rest safely

One sweet world
Around this star is spinning
One sweet world
In her breath he is swimming
And here he will rest in peace..."

Rest easy my friend, we've got the watch from here...

Officer Cameron Weidenbach
Arizona Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol

July 17, 2007

Another brave soldier in the never ending war on criminals in our country has been killed by a cowardly enemy. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you and your family.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 17, 2007

Thank you for all you gave. You made a difference.

Officer
Gods Police Department

July 17, 2007

My prayers are with those you left behind. May they know the peace of God and find comfort in him at this difficult time. Thank you for your service. God Bless!

July 17, 2007

Rest In Peace brother. May God bless and protect your family always, but especially during these rough times.

Chicago PD

July 17, 2007

To the family of Trooper Rich, God bless you during this most dificult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest well brother Troop.

Trooper
Connecticut State Police.

July 16, 2007

To the family of Trooper Rich, God bless you at this this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest Well brother Troop...

Trooper
Connecticut State Police, Troop K.

July 16, 2007

May the perpetual light shine upon you, sir.

DEPUTY
IOWA

July 16, 2007

Session 43 Mourns your loss and will not forget our brother.

Zone Five Police Academy
Schenectady, N.Y.

July 16, 2007

Dave and I shared many good times on duty with the department as well as off. Being best friends, there are a lot of memories that only he and I shared. We confided, trusted and counted on one another as only the best of friends can do.

It was such a tribute at Dave’s funeral that the theme was not how great of a police officer he was, but how great and loving a person he was. Although Dave took great pride in his job; it was his family and friends that meant the most.

Dave’s greatest treasure was easy to recognize, it was his family. Connie and the kids were his life. Everything revolved around them. I remember how nervous and emotional he was when he proposed to Connie on the double ferris wheel at the Bluffton Street Fair. He was so proud and honored to have her as his wife. When Lauren was born, Dave treated her as a princess. I remember even before my daughter, Lanae’ was allowed to hold her for the first time, Dave asked if she would wash her hands before doing so. After the twins, Carson and Connor were born this went out the window. It got to be an inside joke, that the boys could have eaten their food off of the floor. Dave loved the boys, they were to be “men”. Dave was going to show them how to hunt, fish and play sports and all the other “manly” things in life.

With his kingdom being set, Dave had his Queen Connie, Princess Lauren and Princes’ Carson & Connor. But this wasn’t a monarchy it, it was a “family”. With Dave’s death, Connie lost a husband, the children a father, Jack & Linda a son, Bob & Kim a brother, I a best friend, the State a great Trooper and the world lost a Great Person. Why did it happen, only God knows. Perhaps he saw Dave and thought Wow, he is such a great person who loves and cares for so many. But even more importantly, perhaps he saw a person who is loved and cared about by so many. I’m sure God must have thought, Dave’s done his job well on earth, I will now bring him home as this is the type of person I want with me in Heaven.

Dave will be forever missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend. Because of God’s mercy, and Jesus’ sacrifice, we will meet again.

Jan R. Maller
Indiana State Police

July 15, 2007

Trooper Rich, may God bless your family, friends, and all of the troopers with ISP. I know that our recent loss, Ofc. Frank Denzinger (E.O.W. 06/18/08), was there welcoming you into the gates of heaven.

Your sacrifice was the second in our state within a three week period, and it will never be forgotten.

Godspeed brother, you will never walk alone

Communications Corporal Jason E. Higdon
Floyd County (IN) Police Department

July 15, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Rest in peace.

Dispatcher
Schererville Police Dept

July 15, 2007

My department's thoughts are with your family and fellow troopers in this sad time. It is heroes like you that keep me on my toes and make me realize that time is short and the end can come at any time. Your died a hero and you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and dedication.

Officer Michael Hicks
Coventry, CT Police Department

July 14, 2007

I remember your face from my training I recieved at the Peru Post, although I did not know you personally. My thoughts and prayers are your family and your brothers of the Indiana State Police. You are a true a hero to us all.

God Bless and Rest in Peace.

911 Dispatcher
Fulton County Sheriff's Office

July 14, 2007

Our sincere condolences go out to Trooper Rich's family,friends, and co-workers. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Cpl Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

July 14, 2007

On July 5, 1973 I had the joy of my youngest son's birth. I am truly sorry that Master Trooper David Rich died July 5, 2007, and the grief his loved ones must feel with his death.
With my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, co-workers and fellow
officers of Master Trooper David Rich, I truly have knowledge of how his murder has effected his family and community, as we in Grand Rapids, MI had an officer ambushed and murdered while on a domestic call Sun. July 8, 2007. GRPD Officer Robert Kozminski was buried yesterday, Fri. the 13th. Two officers of PEACE made the SUPREME SACRIFICE with their young lives of 41 and 29 years respectively. May God Bless you Master Trooper David Rich and may all who knew and love you, know that you now are safe!
My thoughts and prayers for all who are in harm's way.
Andrea Edwards - Wife of GRPD MI Sgt retired & Mom of current GRPD Officer

Mrs. Andrea Edwards
wife of retired GRPD MI Sgt Raymond W. Edwards

July 14, 2007

Thank you Master Trooper Rich. As a Friend of a Fallen Hero,My heart goes out to the the family ,friends,co workers,and all who knew this special man who serverd and protected for 18 years.WE will always remember.

FofFH

July 13, 2007