Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dean:
Words cannot even begin to express the sadness that I am feeling. You were such a wonderful person and I feel very honored to have worked on the squad with you. You will be greatly missed but I find comfort in knowing you are with the lord. Rest in peace my friend. You will always be in our hearts.

Cheryl Timm, deputy
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

RIP DEPUTY. YOUR SERVICE AND SCRAFICE WILL BE REMEMBERED

Ofc.K.W
UMES PD

June 21, 2010

Dean, you will be missed... your hard work, dedication and demeanor was such an inspiration, and it will carry on throughout the department. You always had a smile on your face, and that is how I will remember you. You made the ultimate sacrifice, but now you have a place in heaven, where I know you will be watching over all of us.
Thank you Dean. Rest in peace.

Deputy M Curtis
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

My heart is weeping for Deputy Ridings' family. Know that my thoughts are with you through this tragedy.

Linda Cribb
Mother of Spotsylvania Deputy D.C. Graham

June 21, 2010

Dep Ridings, may you rest in peace our brother. You'll never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester PD

June 21, 2010

Deputy Ridings,
Although I never met you, I knew you.
You were idealistic and believed you could make a difference.
You are immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
You felt privileged to be of service to your department, your community and to your country.

You are a cop.

Although I never met you, I knew you.
You were friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
You laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
You are competent, trained, and professional.

You are a cop.

Although I never met you, I knew you.
You have a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
You felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but you never wavered.
You stood by and for your fellow officers.

You are a cop.

Although I never met you, I knew you.
You longed for your family during the long hours.
You worried about them during your shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when you were apart.
You felt guilty about the lost time, but knew your calling
and prayed they would understand.

You are a cop.

Although I never met you, I knew you.
You were a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father and grandfather.
You were dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people you served.
You wanted to do the best job that you could and strived to be the best you could be.
You were a good citizen and a good neighbor.

You are a cop.

Yes, I did know you.
You are a cop, you are my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Ridings, we have the watch...


To the family and friends of Deputy Ridings,
I can not put into words the emotions I felt as I read what Nick posted. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

To Deputy Ridings,
You served your community and family with pride. Rest easy we have the watch.
THANK YOU FOR YOU SERVICE!!!!!

Officer P.R. Dooley
Fredericksburg P.D.

June 21, 2010

God speed Deputy Ridings. You and your family will always be in our hearts.

Detective J.C. Blankenship
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

Thank you, Deputy Ridings, for standing in harm's way as you defended the defenseless, cared for those forgotten, and eased the burdens of your brothers and sisters wherever possible. In the arms of our Lord, may you rest in peace now Dean, knowing that while serving your community, you were a force of good and right. Your mortal works and gifts continue to live through the lives of those blessed to have known you.

Chief Danny T. Mccoy
Roanoke Regional Airport

June 21, 2010

Thank you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends, and co-workers.

Travis Bird
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney - Fredericksburg

June 21, 2010

Dean Ridings,
I have had the pleasure of watching you and both of your sons who are also deputies interact with not only the general public but with other deputies and L/E from other agencies. There is something special about each of the Ridings and it's obvious having worked with you Dean where they get it from. You were an Honorable man with a work ethic above reproach. The good thing is the Ridings way of life will continue through your sons.
I will miss hearing "Unit 390, 10-8 for select enforcement"
You will truly be missed. Rest in Peace... Mike

Lt. Michael K. Wootten
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

My heart felt thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Deputy Dean Ridings and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office. RIP Dean

1st. Sgt. Robert Barker
Prince William ADC

June 21, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and family members that are left behind and cannot follow. Rest in peace my brother in blue...we will take it from here.

PFC Adam F Laser
Westminster City POlice Department

June 21, 2010

This is a terrible tragedy, and the world has lost a fine officer and even finer man. My thoughts & prayers are with the Ridings family and the Spostsylvania Sheriff's Office. Rest in Peace Dean.

Amy McMullen
Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office

June 21, 2010

Although I say good bye my young friend understand this isn't the end, I will see you in a better light tomorrow.

Adrian Murphy
n/a

June 21, 2010

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Dean Ridings, and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office. 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. Deputy Ridings, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

June 21, 2010

Although I never had the privilege of meeting Dean, I do have the honor of knowing Nick. I often say law enforcement is not a career one chooses, but one that chooses you. It takes a very special individual to point that vest on everyday for the sake of our safety. It takes a very special family to support that individual. The Ridings family is indeed special and our community is blessed to have them protecting us. My heart goes out to your family and you are in my prayers. Rest in peace Dean. You will be missed, but will live on in our memories, and in your sons.

Amy Woodard
Wife of 212, Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office

June 21, 2010

Brother, may God bless you and keep you forever. Forever a brother in blue.

Sergeant R.E. Rauhala
Fairfax County Sheriffs Office

June 21, 2010

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

June 21, 2010

Chief Strzelecki and the entire Niles Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Ridings. Godspeed.

Niles, Illinois Police Department

June 21, 2010

To the friends, family and co-workers of Deputy Ridings, my deepest sympathy and condolences to you. May you rest in peace Hero. You will never be forgotten.

PO II R.T. Flynn
Lynchburg PD, VA

June 21, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

K-9 Officer Tom Summerville Jr
Eutaw Police Department

June 21, 2010

Dean,
We just talked not long ago about how proud you were of Nick with his K9, Gordon with the gangs, and how much you enjoyed your job with Spotsylvania. We talked of how you enjoyed your time with your grandkids. You always took the time to say hi, have a conversation, or give a smile. Thank you for all you have given. Know that you will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Sr. Deputy A. C. Boone #358
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

On behalf of the 6,183 members of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST), we extend our sincere condolences to Deputy Ridings’ family as well as the members of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. AAST members throughout the United States know first hand what all of you are going through right now. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Ken Howes, Executive Director
American Association of State Troopers

June 21, 2010

Deputy Ridings,

Thank you for your service and dedication. My thoughts and prayers are for you, your family, friends, and the entire Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office. Rest in Peace Brother.

Sergeant Mike Presutto
Fredericksburg PD

June 21, 2010

Saturday, Central Virginia C.O.P.S. celebrated our annual Father's Day Picnic, only to come home and find that another one of our Heros, a father, was taken too early. My heart broke and my thoughts & prayers go out to his wife, sons, grandchildren, friends and co-workers.

Romaine

Romaine Cheney
Sister of Fallen VA Trooper Jessica J. Cheney, EOW 1-17-1998

June 21, 2010