Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 16, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Ricks. You passed exactly ten years to the day after Metro-Dade Police Department Officer William Coleman Cook, was shot and killed answering a domestic scene in Liberty City, "Gladeview" in Miami, Florida.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 22, 2020

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 17, 2015

Ernie, your nephew, Carlyle, was able to tell us that you wer with him during his transition, and he was eager to join you..which he did, July 25th. We miss you both so very much.

marguerite ricks
mom

December 17, 2012

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 26, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 18, 2012

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

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

Officer Ricks was a fine class mate and finer gentleman, he is sorely missed. May the Lord continue to keep and bless your family. 88-3 will never foeget.

Officer William K. Washington
MPD class mate

November 9, 2011

I REMEMBER THE DAY AS IF IT WERE SECONDS AGO....
I REMEMBER THE PEOPLE INVOLVED......
I REMEMBER THE RUN AND ITS RIDICULOUSNESS....
I REMEMBER THE TONE FROM ABOVE...
I REMEMBER US PRESSING AND PUSHING THE LOT, FOR A TIME WITH SECONDS TO WASTE....
I REMEMBER THE SCREAM THAT OFFICER JACKSON MADE AS THE CLOUDS OPENED UP FROM ABOVE....
HELP US...HELP US ...OFFICER RICKS IS DOWN....THE TONE NEVER CHANGED FROM THAT DAY.....
I KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU...
THE REMEMBERANCE OF THAT DAY.....
I KNOW OFFICER RICKS WOULD HAVE WANTED IT THAT WAY....

OffiCer EMSKINNER
MPDC

October 27, 2011

I knew Ernie when he lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. I met his wife, Iralene, while we were both in grad school,in different fields, temping in a federal agency to make money to stay afloat. When Iralene called to say her beloved husband and new father to Phoenix had fallen while training for police work, I was so shocked and saddened. I am deeply moved reading the tributes of his family on this site. He deserves to continue to be remembered. I wish he were still here to protect and serve and work the security for the inaugaration of Barack Obama. He would have been so proud.

Susan Figueiredo Reaves
Old Friend

January 18, 2009

Hello Officer Ricks,
My name is Detective Melissa A. Ottaviano, I am with the Portsmouth Police Department, VA. With honor, I am riding for you this year in the police unity tour 2008. I am proud to ride for a fallen brother in blue and your devotion and honor of duty will be carried the entire way. To the family, I ride for your memories you have of, not only as a law enforcement officer, but as the wonderful person you all know and love. I am truly honored and I hope to meet you soon. God bless.

Detective M.A. Ottaviano
Portsmouth Police Department

April 28, 2008

Thankyou sir for your service and sacrifice. God bless your family as they carry on in your name

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA

February 7, 2008

Brother Ernie, it has been a long time coming but the day is finally here where you can be remembered for all eternity with the best. You died while completing a run to prove yourself worthy to be a part of this agency however you accomplished this by your actions that you demonstrated among your friends and colleges. Although your time was short lived with the Metropolitan Police Department you and the rest of the class stepped up to the plate when this city called upon us to perform our duty during the Christmas, Inauguration and Crime Emergency details. Leading by example and serving as a roll model you helped nurture us and guide us to become better people and for this, we are eternally grateful. In the end, you served your community and the Metropolitan Police Department in ways that can never be captured with simple words. You are still missed and will always be missed. Rest in Peace my Brother. To the family, I pray that this memorial to Ernie and his inclusion on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in May 2008 bring some closure to you after all of these years. The class of 88-3 has never forgotten you either. Thank you Michael Smith and Donna Jones for all of your hard work and support. Thank you Chief Lanier for stopping and taking the time to listen and providing your support as well and finally thank you Chris Cosgriff and staff for all that you do for all of us.

Lieutenant Byron B. Hope Jr
Classmate

February 6, 2008

G-d bless.

January 19, 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 9, 2007

I remember the day you were born, how ecstatic everyone was to finally have a boy in the family after having three girls. I especially remember how overjoyed Daddy was. I remember how you intentionally lost your eye glasses in elementary school and never wore glasses again, how you took watches apart to "fix" them back, how you mistreated my dolls, how you spent weeks in detention at Archbishop Carroll, how you lived for football. I remember when you started dating Princess... how happy you were, your green eyes sparkling. She wore your letter sweater. How you enjoyed the college botany field trips, higher grades than your brilliant sister, Bev. Gee, was Daddy shocked! You went into the army, enjoyed the helicopter rides, studied Janes manuals at the Library of Congress, thrived on intelligence work. You married Princess, had that beautiful baby and couldn't stop smiling at her. You longed to join the police force more than anything. I remember the day you died.... We attended the police graduation ceremony - the empty chair, the tears of the officers, the speeches, the hand shakes and embraces. They would carry on and you would always be just a breath away... watching over them. I love you and cherish your memory. Your eldest sister, Dennielle

Dennielle Ricks Hosang
Sister

November 14, 2007

Even though it has been 18 years since the death of my father, I still feel both his absence and his presence everyday. I feel his absence every time a friend of mine mentions doing something with her dad, or whenever father's day rolls around. It hurts to know that one day when I get married, he will not be there to walk me down the aisle. However, I feel my father's presence whenever people reminisce about him, or whenever I look in the mirror and see our resemblance. I thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and consideration.

Phoenix Ricks
Daughter

October 23, 2007

His colleagues in the Department knew him as Big Daddy -- that's what they called him. He was Tiny to his friends at Wilson High School. Phoenix (our daughter, whom we called Miss Boo)called him Papa Bear. I called him Bear. He loved law enforcement -- first in Military Intelligence and then with the DC Police Department. He would tell stories of painting GI Joe's red with his mother's nail polish and having mock battles in the backyard with toy soldiers and his best friend, Jack, when they were just boys. He subscribed to Jane (before the women's magazine took on the same name) and loved to fish. He was an old-fashioned guy who believed in hard work and family. But most of all, he was the sweetest man I've ever known. He called me his Baby Doll and he was -- is-- my Bear. I will always, always love him.

P.S. He loved to laugh and was funnier than Chris Rock (but you'd never know it from that picture)! :-) One more thing...he died on May 16th -- trust me, it's not something I will EVER forget.

Thanks to Lt. Michael Smith, Ernie's sister Lillian, and everyone involved in this wonderful tribute to Ernie. We all appreciate it.

Irelene P. Ricks, PhD (civilian)
Wife

October 23, 2007

To this day I remember how we oiled my tricycle so I could "go faster" as I rode on our front porch. Before letting me ride, you had neighbors come over to watch. I began to ride faster and faster and eventually, I tried to brake but the oil didn't allow me that option and I went on a solo flight. That was the first of many episodes that kept us from having a relationship of any sort until I was 16yrs. old. It was at this point when "Princess" Irelene said she had seen enough and demanded that our relationship change for the better. Through your love for her, you found a way to make your youngest brother your friend. We began to make time to do any and everything together. When you found out that I was smart, you used laundry as a reason to come over to pick my brain yet, at the end of the night, you would remind me of the delicacy of our friendship by pointing at me and saying "Drew, I'm coming for you!" Now, my brother, I await the day when you fulfill that statement. When you come for me, we will sing and dance before our Lord God for allowing us to meet again and we will laugh a good laugh as we go forward in that life together as brothers and friends Amen.
I Love you,
Drew

Andy
brother

October 22, 2007

Ernie, you were more than just my older brother but also a friend who gave me encouragement and stretgh which i still draw from you and daddy today.Remebering the days you showed me how to play army, blowing up tanks and the enemy with firecrackers. It was cool till i found out you blew up my G.I. Joe. I know you were my guardian angel, looking over me when i worked the streets enforcing the law. What i'm still at a loss at, remembering our plans to own a business together. So for today and this bowling season, We are a team cause i'm dedicating this year to you! Love Always, your brother Tim

Timothy Ricks
Brother & former officer

October 16, 2007

This is for my dear Uncle Ernie:
I love you and miss you more than anyone could know. You were my protector, my rock, my uncle and I was your BABY DOLL. That was the name you gave me. Thank you for all the visits and all the time we spent with one another in California. I will never forget when you passed my senior prom was on the next weekend and I wished i could have been there for the services but Mom and Glenn stood in for me. When I received that phone call I felt as if my heart had been torn into many pieces. I am so honored and elated that you have finally been honored for you being a hero and just being you. I love you and we will meet again. Once again thanks for always accepting, knowing and understanding me. I could not have asked for a better protector or uncle.

Sincerely,
Your BABY DOLL

Charlotte Owens
Niece

October 16, 2007

It's hard to believe 18 years have passed. You are truly missed. Your oddball wit and otherworldly wisdom is what I will remember most. I am a better man because of you. You will always be more to me than a cousin. You were truly my friend and more than that: The big brother I never had. Thanks, A.D.---

Al Nichols Jr.
1st cousin

October 16, 2007

See you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI

October 13, 2007

Thank you for your service. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten

Ofc. J.E. Johnson
SC Dept of Juvenile Justice

October 13, 2007

Of all the people in my life who could teach me, make me believe and prove to me there were things to live, strive and be humble for...it was you!!! The rebellious guy, the trickster, the kid who always bought home bad grades. Even then for some reason I wanted to be just like you and took on some of those rebellious traits. But as you grew I think we all did. I mean we learned from your mistakes, but the smirk you had on your face that came with them always reminded us of how smart and determined you really were to accomplish anything. As much as you were a loner and had your own set of friends it seems somehow you were also there for each of us individually, even your parents...what child has time for all that? You did...and always spreading wisdom beyond your years. You also taught me how to be quiet and listen to the spirit within, pay attention to the stars. Your greatest blessing to me to this day is that I still feel your guiding presence with it's determination beside me, keeping me humble, refusing to fail...

Carlyle Raphael Black
Nephew

October 12, 2007