Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rich,
I'm sorry you had to fight that battle alone. We were not there for you. But we all wanted to be. Each and every one of us that are like you wanted to be there. You were so pure in heart and soul...fearless and true to your beliefs. You are a warrior and we will never forget you brother

Joel Brock, Sergeant
California Highway Patrol

December 24, 2005

I worked with Rich in the early 90's in Bakersfield. He was reserved and very industrious. He had earned his Master's Degree in the health care field but joined the Patrol because he felt he could make a difference. He is sorely missed.

Sergeant Phil Lammi
California Highway Patrol

September 17, 2005

You are a true hero to us all and you will never be forgotten for your sacrifice. Rest in peace.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 11, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

If they don't pay here on earth for what they did, they will pay in the hereafter.

April 13, 2005

What a shame Rich, they are trying to smear your name, however the truth will come out. Anyone who knows you knew u were a good man!
For those of you not in the area, Rich's killer was granted a new trial because the trial judge made a technical error. They are smearing Rich's reputation, the truth will come out!

Mike
Bakersfield Police

December 3, 2003

May God keep you forever in his arms...
Feel no more pain Blue Angel...rest in peace.

CPD, Ohio

Rich was a good man, great cop! He was the cops cop.. Kicked ass took names but treated people with respect. I am not with the CHP but with the Kern County Sheriffs Dept. My partners were the ones that took the suspects into custody.
By the way, the son was 16 at the time, he was released from the Youth Authority several years ago, he served next to no time.

Mike
Kern County Sheriff

I only knew Max from a couple of traffic stops, and by reputation. I was a neighbor of Taggart, his patrol buddy. Max died while doing something he loved, chasing a GTA. He was a bust-ass hard worker, and was destined to be respected among peace officers in Bakersfield. I was off-duty when I heard the 999 come out, threw on my uni and stood perimeter while units searched the crook's relatives' house. I didn't know which Chippie it was...didn't know how bad it was, either...but friends like Richard Taggart and Joel Brock had helped me out in the past, so I knew my duty. We all cried like babies in briefing that night. We tried to analyze it and come away with some good, but it just wasn't there to be found. One of the hardest nights I ever spent as a cop.

Officer Johnny Wilson #645 ret'd
Bakersfield Police