Trooper Richard D. Howell

Trooper Howell, I think of you daily. I came to know you at college in Orlando when you talked to me about the steps you needed to take to become a trooper. You worked hard and became a trooper.
You and I were working the same shift and patrol zones on the Florida Turnpike in Post-7 located in south Orlando on that fateful day. Often I think of probably your last radio transmission. I recall that we were probably 6-8 miles apart. To this day that I recall you had called me on patrol radio 'asking for the RADAR unit' that our zone shared and I asked you to wait for a few minutes while I took a coffee break. I wish so much I had not put you off for the moment. When I came out from the break, Patrol radio was on 10-33 traffic and it took me a few minutes to learn of your accident.
When instructed by a supervisor to go to your home and take your wife to a local hospital it was very difficult. I recall she said to me 'he better not be dead'. Sadly you were.
You served with honor and pride and I salute you.

Sergeant Bob Holder
Florida Highway Patrol (retired)

August 2, 2015