Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ofc Crittenden, your heroic and selfless actions will not go unforgotten. May your soul rest in peace.

Ofc Ployhart
Woodbury Police

September 11, 2009

Rest in peace, Officer Crittenden. Our deepest symapthies and prayers are with your family and the North Saint Paul Police Department.

Anonymous

September 11, 2009

I didn't have the opportunity to have met you, I'm sure it would have been an honor. My deepest condolences To Officer Crittenden wife and family, I cant image the sorrow that you are feeling. I know its very easy to get used to everyday your husband coming home every day after his shift, and everyday asking how it was today, some were good and some were bad days. I cant image one day him not coming back home. He paid the ultimate sacrifice helping those in need. Its the hardest job to have but it can be the most rewarding. God bless you Richard and your family, and Thank you for your devotion and service to N.St.Paul and to helping everyone that needed your help.

Christyn
N.st.paul resident and wife of a police officer

September 11, 2009

When God Made Police Officers
When the Lord was creating Police 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 requirements on this order? A police 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, canvas 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 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 they ask, ‘May I see what’s in there, sir?’ (When they already know and wish they’d taken that accounting job), another pair here on the side of the head for their partner’s safety, and another pair of eyes here in front so they can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, ‘You’ll be all right, ma’am,’ when they know it isn’t so.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve, “rest and work on this 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 a civil service paycheck.”
The angel circled the model of the Police Officer very slowly. “Can it think?” she asked. “You bet”, said the Lord, “it can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in its sleep, detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time that it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps its 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 Police 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, for justice.” “You’re a genius,” said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” He said.

We will never forget you Ricky.

Patrolman Glen McCarty
Maplewood Police Department

September 11, 2009

I retired from R.P.D.4yrs ago this month.Just after receiving a voice mail from a friend adviseing me of Ricks death, I went to my local coffee shop. As I sat ouside I watched the people come and go, getting their latte's,walking their dogs,boarding their buses,going about their lives and enjoying their holiday off from work. I was struck with the surreal realization that all across America,at that very minute, there are Police Officers going through doors that they have no idea what awaits them on the other side.That willingness to put themselves in that position is what makes them "Simply the best,better than all the rest." Thanks Richard.

Officer A.S. Butch perkins
#133 Roseville P.D. Ret

September 10, 2009

You've fought the noble fight and now God has called you home. Return to Him in honor, my brother, and rest forever in peace. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice. You are my Hero!

Jeff
Former GPD Officer

September 10, 2009

I think about your courageous actions daily.

Godspeed, Sir.

Steve
ICE-Bloomington

September 10, 2009

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Police Officer Crittenden's family and comrades. Officer Crittenden took an oath to Protect and Serve which he did admirably . May God watch over him and his family. He will never be forgotten.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

September 10, 2009

Rest in peace brother........ my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Officer
St. Paul Police

September 10, 2009

“In valor there is hope.”

My deepest sympathies to Officer Crittenden’s family and the members of the North St. Paul Police Department.

Sgt. J. R. Ohotto
Minneapolis Park Police Department

September 10, 2009

Officer Crittenden, your name will be remembered. I thank God that you were born and lived because your life is proof that God exists. Why else would there be people like you who are willing to lose their lives to protect the lives of people they don't even know.

You and your backup officer held the line. You WERE the line in those brief violent minutes while facing another human - yet more like a demon sent straight from hell. I can only imagine the fear.

To your family and friends and coworkers who feel the great pain and burden of your sacrifice, and whose minds drift to thoughts of hopelessness, despair, and defeat, may they know how many in the community support them and needed you to be there to answer the call. We are witnesses to the service and bravery of Officer Crittenden and his backup officer.

A word of hope from the Bible that the story is not over: "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
'They will be mine,' says the Lord Almighty, 'in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.'" (Malachi 3:16-17)

May it be so, and may the Lord bless your family and send helpers to comfort them.

Laurie
Friend and Family to Law Enforcement

September 10, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Crittenden.

Off. J. Sworski
Minneapolis P. D.

September 10, 2009

Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow North St Paul officers of Officer Crittenden. Words cannot convey the sorrow and heartache in our hearts whenever we hear of another officer lost in the line of duty. We lost our daughter, Officer Melissa Schmidt, EOW 8/1/02 in Mpls, so we truly understand and feel your loss. From the news reports and other reflections, Officer Crittenden was very loved, well respected and a true hero. May you find comfort and peace in your thoughts and memories of your heroic officer. He will not be forgotten. God Bless.

Steve & Carole Schmidt
Survivors of another fallen Officer

September 10, 2009

You are a TRUE AMERICAN HERO. Although i don't know you, I can say just wearing that uniform each day has changed peoples lives for the better. THANK YOU BROTHER!!

Anonymous

September 10, 2009

Rest in Peace Brother.

Sgt. R. Gregson
BART Police Department, CA.

September 10, 2009

My Thoughts & Prayers Remain With The Entire Staff Of The NSP Police Station & Officer Crittenden's Family & Friends!!

In 2003 Officer Crittenden Was The First Officer 2 Respond When My Grandmother Had A Stroke... After That He Would Stop By My Home And Visit From Time 2 Time Simply Checking In On Myself And My Family... He Was Such A Sweet, Loving & Attentive Officer... I Will Deeply Miss Him!! It Amazes Me Everyday How People Leave Footprints Across Your Heart After Such A Chance Encounter... My Only Comfort During This Time Is My Hero!! Officer Crittenden Passed Away Doing What He Enjoyed... And That Is Helping The People Of North St. Paul... God Bless You Officer Crittenden!! You Are Now In Heaven Watching Over Us & Keeping Those You Love Safe!!

Shannon Maxwell
Friend

September 10, 2009

Officer Crittenden, your watch is ended. May our Heavenly Father watch over your family and friends during this tragic time. May your soul walk carefully and proudly into everlasting life. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in God’s peace my friend, you deserve it.
REV

Chaplain
Camillus Police Department

September 10, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and law enforcement agency for losing a dear friend Son,Brother,father Grandfather last but definitely not least a Loving Husband who chose to serve and protect and thats exactly what officer Rick was doing When he was Killed He will be missed by some but always remembered by all.

Anonymous

September 10, 2009

My deepest condolences to Officer Crittenden's family, friends and fellow officers. May you find some comfort in knowing that my family, and a multitude of others, hold you in our thoughts and prayers. May he now, and you in time, find peace.

Reed Bornholdt
Son, Sheriff Robert R. Bornholdt EOW 11/30/1966

September 10, 2009

Thank you for your service brave man.

Anonymous

September 10, 2009

Ofc. Crittenden rest in peace. Thank you for your service.

Ofc. M. Kane
MN State Fair Police Dept.

September 10, 2009

Rest in Peace Brother and thank you for your service.

Deputy John Latour (retired)
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

September 10, 2009

My thoughts are with your family, It always seems to soon to lose a loved one. He was a brave hero in the eyes if many. I to lost a family member in the line of duty and I just wanted to post a note to say "Thinking of You". God Bless and he will take you through this tough time.

Anonymous

September 10, 2009

No doubt you left for work that morning like any other day expecting to come back home to join your wife and family. We all wish you had made it back. But...you encountered danger and you faced it with courage. Brave. Strong. Heroic. Officer Crittenden, you saved the lives of others that day while losing your own. You did not die in vain. Thank you sir.

anonymous

September 10, 2009

Officer Crittenden North St.Paul is not as safe, with out you here! A few weeks ago I was telling a friend about you, and how it seemed like everytime something was going on, or a car was stopped there you were! You were not a slacker, and were always out doing your job! I called the Police to report that my car was broken into and there you were! When I told you I should of just left the car unlocked, because there wasn't anything in it to steal, you said if a Crack Head saw a quarter in the car, they would bust the window out to get it! I thought that was pretty funny, but the truth! I enjoyed talking to you, and was glad you took time out of your day to talk! I owe my life to the North St.Paul Police, Fire and Paramedics, and my girlfriend who is also a Crittenden (No relation, that we know of!) Two years ago I had a heart attack at home in North St. Paul. Doctors say I was dead for 2 to 3 minutes. Thanks to all you for bringing me back, I'm still here today!I know you are in a better place, I've been there! Say Hi to Sgt.Jerry Vick St.Paul P.D for me, when you see him!

Mike Frokjer
North St.Paul Resident

September 10, 2009