Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

rest in peace

lt b cole (ret)
lake charles p d (louisiana)

June 21, 2010

Dearest Dean, Words cannot begin to express the sadness that we feel. You were a wonderful man and father. You and your sons exemplify what a law enforcement officer stands for. You will be missed. I will honor you everyday. With Love and Respect, Twyla

Detective Twyla DeMoranville
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

Thank you for your service and sacrifice for my hometown, and Godspeed to your sons who continue to serve!

-Formerly of Spotsylvania County

Ofc. Chuck Lochart
Anchorage Police Dept.

June 21, 2010

My deepest sympathies and prayers are with all of Deputy Ridings' family, as well as with everyone at the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office will keep you all close in our hearts and prayers.

Carey Skaggs, Legal Assistant
Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney's Office

June 21, 2010

REST IN PEASE BROTHER.
You served your county and country well. To the family lean on your extended family they will take care of you. Know that Deputy Ridings is now and forever watching over his sons and family in everything they do. And rest assured you all will be together one day with the Lord.
ROMANS 10:13

Susan M. Clem Ret. Deputy Sheriff
Fauquier Co. Sheriff's Ofc

June 21, 2010

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

Matthew 5:9

Sergeant James Konicki
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

It is bittersweet that Dean's Surrattsville Class of '76 reunion is this upcoming weekend in his hometown of Clinton, MD. While many didn't know Dean in his law enforcement capacity, he made an impact in other ways. We were lucky to know him grade school through high school, through previous employment at Thornton, Carrier or on the high school hiking team, as my brother Don's best friend & his "Best Man" at their wedding, Dean when he fell in love with his wife, spending hours at our house the night before USMC boot camp, riding in his old camaro, receiving happy phone calls when their first son was born, etc. We are grateful for his dedication to law enforcement and commitment to helping others. No matter what, he always gave back. On behalf of his graduating class and friends, we offer sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dean's wife and his sons. He will be missed.

Donna Vanderhoof/DoD Civilian
Friend

June 21, 2010

Rest in peace, Deputy Ridings. The rest of us in brown, blue, gray and other colors will carry the watch from here. To our colleagues at "Spotsy," our thoughts are with you.

Anonymous

June 21, 2010

Dean,
Words cannot express the grief I feel today. You were an amazing man with an infectious smile and a heart too big to measure. I truly feel honored to have known you and worked with you. Your entire SO family is weeping for this tragedy. Your legacy will live on, in our hearts, and in your legacy; Gordon & Nick.

Mama Ridings, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You have done a phenomenal job. Your entire family has dedicated themselves to the citizens of this county and the country, and you have been their Rock. God bless you. Please know that I will strive to emulate Deans dedication and spit, even though that is a lofty goal!

Gordo and Nick, I love you both and cannot imagine your grief. You have large shoes to fill, but I know you're up to the challenge.

Go in peace Dean, we've got it from here.
Katie

Deputy Katie Higgins
Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office

June 21, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friend, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office and the brothers and sisters in uniform across the State of Virginia and the nation. We share your grief. May you always rest in the arms of the angels, Deputy Ridings. Thank you for your service, sir. We will not forget.

Peggy Parker
Fort Worth, TX

June 21, 2010

Rest in Peace Sir........

Offc. Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worrth Texas PD

June 21, 2010

Deputy Ridings,
I know i met you once at Stars and Stripes last year, but when I met you, you were one of the nicest people I have ever met. I wish I knew you better.

Thank you for your service not only in the Sheriff's Office but in the Marine Corps as well.

Semper Fi

Patrick Hennessey
Son of Joanna Hennessey - Com. Officer

June 21, 2010

Dean,

What I wouldn't give to hear, "390... 10-41, select" just one more time. You will never be forgotten, Daddy Ridings.

Dispatcher Joanna Hennessey
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

Dean/390,

I still can't believe you are gone brother. I don't think I ever told you that I really looked up to you and I appreciated your friendship. You were an inspiration to me, both in your work ethic and in how great of a family man you were. I know you loved your wife tremendously and were extremely proud of your two boys. It was an honor to have served with you. I will miss you and continue to strive to be as good a man as you were. You certainly set the example. I will see you when I get to the other side.

Semper Fi!

Ron/335

Deputy Ron Alcott
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

Thank you for the years of dedication, commitment, and support you have given to our County. You have been a big influence on the students, and the people that you have met. I feel blessed to have known you. You will be missed by all in our County.

Christine Hamlett
Smith Station Elem. Spotsylvania Co.

June 21, 2010

Sincere condolences to the immediate family and all of this Deputie's brothers and sisters in blue. Rest in Peace Deputy Ridings.

Duty Officer Sherilyn Nantz
Florida Highway Patrol

June 21, 2010

My prayers are with all of you...........I did not personally know Deputy Ridings. But through a very close relative who worked with him, I know what kind of man he was. God must have had an awfully urgent "Dad" duty for Dean in Heaven. His legacy will live on through his sons and what more could a Father wish. I will have a Mass said for Dean and all of you in the coming weeks. As you grieve, please know that the Arms that carried Dean to Heaven are the very Arms surrounding all of you now.

Anonymous

June 21, 2010

Deputy Ridings,

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

June 21, 2010

Dean,

It was honor to have worked with you over the years. Your dedication,hard work,and your love of your family and your law enforcement family are above reproach. Your countless commitment to the office and the ERT team will be missed. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace Unit 390!

First Sergeant Marshall Keene
Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office

June 21, 2010

Dean was one of my police academy classmates. He was a man of warmth, compassion, and unwavering integrity. His quiet professionalism was an inspiration to all. I will miss him personally, and send the most heartfelt condolences to his family and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office from his brothers in the Town of Quantico Police Department.

Chief of Police John Weinstein
Quantico Town Police Department

June 21, 2010

REST IN PEACE.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

June 21, 2010

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"
“Author unknown”

May God be with everyone!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

June 21, 2010

Your family, friends, and co-workers are in my thoughts and prayers.

Inv. K. DiGravio
COPS Liaison Officer/Caroline Sheriff's Office

June 21, 2010

Rest in peace and my prayers are with your love ones

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

June 21, 2010