Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 5, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 70 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 5, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 67 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 5, 2022

Joe (Uncle Joe), Dad (Bob Rosie Reichgott 631) always thought of you as a Brother. He passed away in January. Hopefully you two have met up and are patrolling the Heavenly Freeways together. You are missed by so many.

Lieutenant Max Reichgott
Arizona Rangers

July 9, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 6, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Rich.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 1, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

April 5, 2019

To the family, friends and colleagues of Hero Officer Gordon Joseph Rich: I proudly mailed my NO PAROLE letter, on his behalf today. From reading some of your reflections, it’s clear that there is a big void in your lives. Please know that I am so sorry for that loss.
To Officer Rich: Thank You for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten!
God Bless You All!

Allie Wroten
Proudly Supporting All L.E.O.’s
Wife of a Corrections Deputy

February 4, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Gordon Joseph Rich of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

April 5, 2018

Thinking of you today Joe, its once again April 5th, that horrible day that is forever imprinted in my brain...its been 31 yrs since you were taken from us. I have been thinking about you alot over the past month. I became a Grandma March 19, 2017. I wish you were here to meet Bentley Alan Lane, you would have loved knowing you were a great grandpa, even though you would not have liked the aspect that you were getting older, hehe! I know that your watching down on all of us, your family as we think of you not only today but many, many days as we reflect on those memories we share with one another. Even though you were taken, they can never take those amazing memories that we share from our life with you! We love and miss you!

Jody Aberegg Lane
Step Daughter

April 5, 2017

As per usual... We had coffee and a chat at the Jolly Pirate just a night or so before.


You were always so reflective of your family. In these troubled times I wonder how you would fit in. I miss you....

Lt. Michael S. Brining
Upper Arlington Police

April 10, 2015

Thinking of you today Joe..its been 29 yrs since you were taken from us and I want you to know I think about you all the time and think of the great times we would have had as a family if you were not taken from us. You are greatly missed by all of your family today and always! April 5th this yr is also Easter so I must say Thank you for this day Jesus!

Love, Jody
Your step-daughter

Jody Aberegg Lane

April 5, 2015

Joe, I still see your beautiful small as you walked down the hall at HQs a couple of days before you were murdered. All these years later, we still remember you and pray for your family. Thanks for representing our fair city and serving with pride in our department. You will never be forgotten.

(civ) Carol Boling Short
co-worker

August 23, 2014

Dear Grandpa Joe,
I miss you very much. Even though you aren't here right now, we all miss you so very much. Kenny is going to be working the memorial and is in the honor guard. Joey is now a senior in college and I'm 12 now. Dad is half a century and mom just got a new haircut. We all enjoy what we do, but we all miss you so very much.
Emm

Emily Rich
granddaughter

May 18, 2014

Joe, I don't think anyone will ever forget you or the night you fought so valiantly to live as you were over powered that night. The somber feeling in the department the next morning spoke highly of our loss as so many remembered you and mourned the loss of such a good man and dear friend. Continuing to remember your family in our prayers. You would be so proud of your son who has followed in your footsteps, another one of the good guys. May God watch over him and keep him safe as he serves the citizens of Columbus with the same pride you always displayed.

Carol Boling Short
CPD ~ retired civilian

April 5, 2014

God bless you Officer Rich. May you have eternal peace. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

Jim O'Brien
Nephew of Officer Joe O'Brien EOW 12/24/1968

April 5, 2014

My birthday is in three days, February 26th and I find myself remembering my third birthday when you gave me a gold locket I treasured forever! You were and always will be a treasure to me Uncle Joe! Men like you are so very rare! God bless you and your family and all the police officers! Love forever, Amy

Amy Mohr
God Niece

February 23, 2014

My dearest Uncle Joe, I miss you everyday! One day I will see you in Heaven again! You were such a beautiful soul.

I will always love you..

Amy (Norwood) Mohr

April 7, 2013

27 years later and you are still missed and loved and a daily part of my life. Love u everyday!

Diana Lee
His Niece

April 4, 2013

Rest in peace, brother.

LCpl. A. Bro

January 24, 2013

I love ya Uncle Joe. Miss you always....

Amy Norwood-Mohr

April 25, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary year 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 who 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 wife for sharing her love story with us. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections. Jody's reflection was such a moving tribute to you and I know you were a stellar man who is much loved and missed.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 5, 2012

Hey Joe
It's been 26 years today you left us.Thanks for your love and great times we had.There was never a dull moment with you. You lived life to the fullest..I will always Love You.

Nancy Rich
Wife

Nancy Rich

April 5, 2012

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

April 5, 2012

Joe, We worked Freeway Patrol together, parked at #6 Firehouse together, drank coffee together, shared many a funny story together, and loved our Corvettes. Then came that call in the early morning hours of April 5, 1986. I'll never forget that night and the empty feeling I had wishing I had worked over with you and could have helped you in some way. You were and are always in my thoughts throughout my career at CPD, and you "rode" with me after CPD when I was with other agencies as well. RIP "Joey" and put in a good word for me up there.

Officer/ Sergeant/ Chief Rollin Kiser
CPD, Marysville P.D., Grandview Heights P.D.

April 4, 2012