Detective Ricky Joe Childers Tampa Police Department Florida Tuesday, May 19, 1998  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

The memories of your impact on my life and career go on. As my first training officer and our softball days, to winning the gold. May you and Randy never be forgotten and God Bless. See you again one day Chilly !!

Ret. Detective John Yaratch
Tampa Police
2008-05-20

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Virginia
2008-05-19

Det. Childers your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
2008-05-19

Detective Childers, Detective Bell and Trooper Crooks have all served as an inspiration to myself and I will never forget you all.

Thank You for your service... Rest Easy

Citizen
Tampa
2008-05-18

I knew you as a partner to my father. Someone who would always look over me at the movies on your off-duty job. I always looked up to you and Randy as uncles. May you rest-in-peace.

Deputy Rick Burton Jr.
HCSO and Friend
2007-11-01

"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
2007-10-08

That was a horrible day, I will never forget it. I was was one of the Motor Officers at the service for you & Randy.
And I'm not ashamed to admit we all made that escort in tears.
The things your freinds said about you guys said it all.
I was a police officer for 10 years at the time and think of that day often.
God bless you & your familys.

Sgt. Phil DeNiro
Sarasota Police Dept.
2007-10-01

Thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten. May God bless and comfort your family and friends.

DET SGT, Retired
AR
2007-09-20

It is customary that the probationary employees are in the Roll Call Room before the veteranos. Today, as they waited, In Your Memory, I showed them the videotape regarding that tragic day back in 1998. Not a single officer had ever seen/heard of the videotape.

Every cop (especially detention/jail personnel), should be required to see how an arrestee had a handcuff key hidden around his neck...

Your Memory lives on. May You Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
2007-07-24

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Childers on the anniversary of his passing. May God continue to comfort you all.
Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
2007-05-19

I was in the academy when this happened and remember this incident quite well unfortunately. As is the case with any tragic loss in our law enforcement family, we used it as a training source to help us stay alive out there always. This was a devastating loss, as is every "In the line of duty death," and these three officers will never be forgotten for being the true heroes they are. Rest in peace always.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-05-19

Rest in Peace Brother. May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

2006-08-01

I can't believe it's been 8 years since you and Randy were taken. I don't think a day goes by I don't think of the impact you had on my career. My first Homicide on the Courtney Campbell, I only had a few months on and I was extremely nervous and alittle scared to be honest. I just kept thinking, "don't make any mistakes." You came on scene and put me at ease with your soft voice and vast knowledge. You walked me through the whole scene making sure I knew what to do and how to do it. You made me a better Police Officer and I am very proud to have known you. I cried today as I did that day because your memory will always be with me, and my life changed forever on this day in 98. Rest in peace brother, you will never be forgotten.

MPO P. Madsen
Tampa Police
2006-05-19

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

2006-03-07

In the mid-1990s I was a prosecutor in the Bronx, New York. Detective Childers spent two days visiting with me while investigating a case of someone we arrested. He was investigating that person for a shooting in Tampa. I often think of the professionalism and charm that Det. Childers displayed. He was a great investigator and a great person to spend time with. His character and deeds live on with me and the many others who got to know him.

Mark Schein

2006-02-14

I started my career on 02-23-98. I am sorry to say that three months later I was attending my first LEO funeral. I wish I could say that it was my last. Unfortunately I can't remember all the names of the fallen that I've seen since then. Mind you, I've only been doing this for seven years. Sad, isn't it?
I do, however, remember ya'lls funeral service. It has forever been burned in my brain. We miss you. The bagpipes sing our song. I will meet you in Heaven (if I'm judged worthy). God Bless you and your family.

Deputy Sheriff Luke Rehwoldt
Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Florida
2005-05-14

It's been many years my friend but I occasionally look back on my years at TPD. I never got a chance to tell you how much better I felt when I would call for a back up and I'd see you climb out of the car. Make no doubt about it, you were a cop's cop. You're missed brother...................t

TPD
Former Tampa PD
2005-03-04

Your 'case' is now on television in the netherlands, at national geographic. I'm touched by the thing that happened to you, so i really needed to say you are a true hero. Rest in peace!

Paul van den Assum
The Netherlands
2005-02-06

Chili, you and Randy will never be forgotten. May you rest at the end of your shift on the streets of heaven forever.

Sergeant James Preston
Tampa Police (Retired)
2005-01-02

I met Ricky Childers and Randy Bell in 1995 as a local cop preparing to testify in my first homicide grand jury. I was so nervous, not knowing what to expect, what would be asked of me and if I would be prepared. Ricky and Randy sat me down and went thru their cases with me and showed me so much. They were strangers and veteran cops but they took me under their wings as if I was a long time friend. They treated me as an equal and I will always remember the cool calmness that they displayed. They were true professionals and the world is a lesser place without them.

Rest in Peace

2004-12-07

On angels ...
"The wings ain't anything but a uniform, that's all. When they are in the field so to speak, they always wear them." - Taken from Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Ricky,
You're not forgotten ...
May 19, 2004

2004-05-19

THANK YOU...........................

carl
public
2003-12-19

You will not be forgotten. Heros are always remembered and you are one. Rest in peace.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

YOU WILL FOREVER REMAIN IN OUR HEART MY BROTHER IN BLUE. R.I.P.

CAPT. T. COHEE
MOON LAKE VOL. FIRE/RESCUE

NOT GONE, JUST GONE ON... REST IN PEACE BROTHER!

Anonymous