 | Sergeant Richard Earl Deffner
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
California
Thursday, January 21, 1988 |
Dear friends,
Thank you to all who have left your kind remarks here. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and I'm grateful to know that our law enforcement family is still strong and that Rick is remembered.
Let's be careful out there.
Bryan
Sacramento, CA Bryan Hipley
Step-son
2008-05-20
Remebering Sgt. Deffner and the hero he will always be to many people. God bless his family and the Sacramento Sheriffs Dept., who lost another hero, Officer Vu, last month.
Mother of Sheriff - Contra Costa
2008-01-21
Today on the 20th anniversary of your death, we pause and say a prayer for your loved ones who still mourn.
It never gets easy, somehow you just learn to accept it.
May God comfort them on this diffiuclt day. Rest in peace Sarge you are not forgotten.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc
2008-01-21
Dear Officer Deffner:
I just read about you in the Rancho Cordova Grapevine; about how the community is remembering your act of bravery and paying tribute to you for your service on this 20th anniversary. . I am grateful that you are remembered for your heroism. We never forget our heroes and our loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I thank you from my soul and ask that you give comfort and continued guardianship form above. Too many officers are joining you. Please be assured that there are many, many grateful citizens who have the utmost gratitude for your loyalty and service. Thank you. God speed.
Sister of a fallen law enforcement officer
Resident of Sacramento
2008-01-18
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-01-13
"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
2007-09-20
Today is 19 yrs since the Lord take u up there and u become guardian angel for us :-X
2007-01-21
Brother Deffner,
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue
Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club
2006-01-09
Rick was a great guy, friend and cop. He is remembered and missed by many. Sgt Paul Hauptman
Sacramento County Sheriff's Dept
2005-06-03
I was a Firefighter with the Citrus Heights Fire District when Sgt. Deffner gave his life to protects us all. I am now Chief of Police in a small city in Iowa. I have never forgotten that tragic day and never will. Sgt. Deffner you are among the great heroes who have fallen to protect all our lives. God bless your family.
Chief Jeffrey A. Bunn
State Center, Iowa Chief Jeffrey A. Bunn
State Center Police Department
2004-04-23
At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.
Tonight, January 21, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Sgt. Richard E. Deffner who died in the line of duty on this date sixteen years ago.
When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.
Sgt. Deffner's sacrifice will never be forgotten. Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC
2004-01-21
You are not forgotten. Heroes live forever and you will always be remembered for your sacrifice, long after those who knew you have passed on to reunite with you again. God bless your family. Pat
Baltimore, MD
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