Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 2, 2018

REST-IN-PEACE My Brother in Arms

Anrae Godley-Cooper
US Army Military Police

August 23, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 23, 2017

Rich, early in your career you were known as #433 and that is how I will always remember you. It is going to be 35 years since your line of duty death and you are still loved and missed. Rest in peace Officer Helbush.

Clancy
Mother of your beautiful children.

March 9, 2016

I will never forget this night so many years ago. I retell the story now and again as if it were yesterday. I hope you know you know we got em, Donnie and I. You are forever remembered.

Karl Niemeyer
Lake County SO Reserve

September 21, 2014

Rich aka LCSO 408, you made it to the internet! You were my mentor during my time in LCSO (1977-1979) and continued being a good friend even after I made a very wise career change to go back to school and get a degree in business...you let me ride along with you well after I had left the Department and the area, and you always made it look effortless. I really enjoyed our times together, working on cars and driving down to Arizona to see your mother and your aunt. I still have your father's bench vise (and use it all the time) and its one of many things that continue to keep you in mind even these many years later.

You never let friendship get in the way of doing the right thing and when I needed a good swift kick you didn't hesitate on the delivery, and for that you earned my undying respect. Your death hit me hard and was a real turning point in life.

And you now have grandsons! When you passed on the girls were still at least a decade away from even thinking about marriage, but no doubt you are looking down from heaven and smiling. I have a grandson now too and there is nothing that compares, I just wish you were in this world so you could enjoy them up close and personal. All the good things they have heard about you are true, and the reality was even better than that.

You had a tremendous and positive impact on my life, but you already knew that...And I was just one of many...I was always surprised to find how many people you had befriended in the community.

Job well done...If I mend my ways and make amends with God, perhaps we'll get to be together again down the road.

Jeff "One Adam 12, see the man!" McCord

Deputy 1977-1979
Lake County CA Sheriff's Office

April 2, 2014

I have just recently found out about the murder of my friend, Rich Helbush. Rich and I used to date back in the late 60's. He and I were living in Santa Rosa when he got the call from Lake County. He was so gung ho and excited about his job. He used to come down to SR and I would go up to Lake County to visit. We didn't break up, we just drifted apart. As I remember him, he was sweet and kind! I am so sorry that we was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Rest in peace my Friend!! I love you!

Lynn Mills
Former girl friend

August 20, 2013

RIP peace Hero! You are not forgotten!

Former Sheriff's Deputy
Marion Co. Sheriff's Dept., Indianapolis, IN

April 26, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today on the 31rst 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 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 those 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 friends 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 3, 2012

Sgt. Richard Helbush...it's been 31 years since your death and I still think of you daily. You have wonderful children and grandchildren and you would be so proud of them. You will never be forgotten. RIP.

N/A
N/A

May 2, 2012

Sgt. Hellbush,

Today I had the honor to read "408 Lakeport". The book Don Anderson dedicated to you, he detailed the entire day of your passing, the moments before, after and now 29 years later. You would be so proud of Don, as he is now our District elect for the County of Lake.

I was 11 years old when you were taken from us. I remember when you would stop in the Clearlake Oaks Fire Department for coffee, or just to talk to my dad, the Chief. It was so sad to hear that the other half was released and sent back to Sweden, she should have never seen the light of day.

Anyways, your memory is still alive and well in the hearts of all Lake County citizens, you are in some great company in Heavan, Under Sheriff Keith Clausen, Sgt.Ron Gelfan, Fire Fighter Frank Toney and many more OF LAKE COUNTY'S FINEST ...GOD BLESS!!

Fire Fighter/EMT Duane Toney
Clearlake Oaks Fire Dept. CA (Lake Co.)

December 12, 2010

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Helbush. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

I miss you

Anonymous

November 21, 2008

Remembering you today. You would be so proud of the family you had to leave behind.

May 2, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 2, 2008

Richard was a real Hero. I remember riding alone with him
when I was a high school student and later a reserve deputy. I watched a real profesional at work. Rich was someone I looked up to. The night before Rich was killed I was working in the old Lake Co. Jail. The last thing Rich said to me was that he had the world most beautiful daughters. Rich gave his life, so someone a live. THAT'S A REAL HERO.

Tim Farmer
ex Lake Co s/o

November 26, 2007

"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

September 12, 2007

Over 26 years have passed since your brutal and tragic murder. Those cowards shot you in the back after you were trying to assist them. May your family be comforted by the fact that your death undoubtedly stopped other innocent people from being murdered and that the dirtbags were taken off the street. I salute you Sarge! You will FOREVER be a HERO and NEVER, NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

SGT, Retired
AR

August 31, 2007

Been a lot of years since you left us but you are not forgotten and your actions that night saved lives and you did get that scumbag off the street. I would have been honored to work with you Sarge.. Rest in Peace Brother !!

DB
Calif Hwy Patrol Ret.

May 2, 2007

I have been a cop for 13 years and still going. I attribute this because as a young teenager living in Clearlake Riviera, a friend of mine had a father who was killed in the line of duty. I did not know much about him, but remembered how he was killed. Several years ago, I looked up this incident and seen Sgt. Helbush on several websites. Every encounter with the public,good or bad, the way he died is always on my mind and will never be forgotten. I don't remember my friends name from the Clearlake, but the best I could remember that this was his father. Godbless.

Detective Don Salo
Glades County Sheriff's Office, Florida

October 31, 2006

I remember speaking with Sgt Helbush a few minutes before he stopped for the disabled vehicle at manning flats. we had responded to an alarm call in what was then Clearlake Highlands. I was a new officer and he went out of his way to help me and always had a kind word. His actions that night surely saved someone else's life, because the two occupants of the disabled vehicle had decided that they were going to kill whoever stopped for them and steal their car. It has been 25 years and I still feel the pain of your loss. you are a hero who payed the ultimate sacrifice fulfilling the oath you took to defend us from the criminals who would prey upon all of us if left unchecked. rest in peace, for you gave all you could.

Lorne Jackson
CHP

April 6, 2006

Sgt. Richard Helbush your grandsons miss you so. Always in our thoughts and we love you.

February 2, 2006

thank you you will never be forgotten...you did your job and left behind people that know this world is less safe without you. My prayes are with your family even today and alwalys.

wife sgt howard stevenso
cpd

September 21, 2005

You are not forgotten, hero.

August 18, 2004