Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I remember when we lost Officer Runck. I was 10 yrs old and my father,Howard Conway,was also with RBPD. I also remember playing softball for 3 yrs at the memorial field. Kinda ironic that it's a rainy today....

Candace Conway
daughter of retired Lt Howard Conway

April 5, 2013

39 years ago today we lost Skip on a rainy Friday. We will never forget you and you remain in our hearts. The sad memory of that day will stay with us forever
RIP Skip
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sgt and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former Communications officer RBPD and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police

April 5, 2013

It will be 39 years tomorrow and it was a Friday. We only had a short time together but you are not forgotten. I can never forget that day.

Donna
Widow

April 4, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th 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.

Rest In Peace

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

April 5, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you Officer Runck are a hero. Continue to rest in peace sir. My prayers are with the family left behind to pick up the pieces and move forward, time does not take the pain in our hearts away but only allows us to take one step at a time.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

April 5, 2012

38 years ago today we lost a good friend and fellow officer. A good man and good officer. Little did we know at the end of dayshift tour we would lose Skip in the line of duty. He lives on in our memories and hearts and will never be forgotten
RIP Skip you are still missed
Chief John Roelandts (retired) former RBPD Sergeant and friend
Deborah Sikes Roelandts (former Communications officer and friend)
Town of Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc, Oconomowoc Wisconsin

April 5, 2012

It will soon be 38 years. I remember very well the day they came to tell me. I am glad he is not forgotten. He was a good officer and he really loved his job.

Donna B. Cullum
Widow

April 1, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Runck. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

Back in 1993 when I was a rookie and right out of the academy, my training officer Paul Peterson brought me into our Riviera Beach Police Department lobby and showed me a picture which still hangs in the lobby to this day. It was a picture of Officer Meredith Stanley Runck, Jr. with a Medal of Honor hanging from it. He told me to always remember that name and that face, and then proceeded to tell me what happened on that day he was gunned down. I have never forgotten it, still look at that picture, and always remember to be ever watchful. His sacrifice has made me a better Officer, and he will always be remembered.

K9 Officer Joe Hoffman
Riviera Beach PD

August 22, 2011

I was just sitting here at my desk today passing the time at work when i decided to do a Google search for my grandfathers name, Meredith Stanley Runck. This was Skip's father, as well as my dad's father. I never had the pleasure of knowing my uncle Skip, as I wasn't born until 1978. The only way that I've ever known him was through all of the stories that my uncle Tim and my father Thomas B. Runck Sr. have told me throughout my life. I've just read all of the messages on this board, and I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped open my eyes to the man that "the uncle I never knew" was. For this I thank you!!

Thomas Bayston Runck Jr.
Nephew

August 1, 2011

Thank you sir for your service, protection and dedication and ultimatley your sacrifice for all of us, you sir are a hero we will never forget. Continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

April 5, 2011

As yet another anniversary of your death is upon us, we pause and say a prayer and remember you.
Thirty seven years ago today, and yet the memory of that day is like it was yesterday.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police
former RBPD Sergeant and friend
Deborah Roelandts (retired 911)
former Communications Officer RBPD and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

April 5, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 5, 2010

As yet another anniversary of your death is upon us, we pause, say a prayer, and remember that terrible day.
You are not forgotten Skip, rest in peace.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
former RBPD SGT and friend
Deborah S Roelandts
former Communications RBPD and friend
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

April 5, 2010

i will never forget him.
i am glad that others still remember him too. thank you

donna

July 29, 2009

Today on the 35th anniversary of your death Skip, we pause and say a prayer and remember that terrible day.
You have not been forgotten.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
former RBPD Sgt and co worker
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired and former Communications officer RBPD)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

April 5, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Runck!

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 2008

Today is the 34th anniversary of your death Skip. Those of us who were there that day have not forgotten.
Rest in peace Friend, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
former coworker and RBPD Sgt
Deborah Sikes Roelandts (former communications RBPD)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

April 5, 2008

Skip & I went to the academy together and as thing progressed we became very good friends and went to several in-service classes together at Palm Beach Junior College. Wife & I went to their home and they came to ours many times. I was on the apprehension crew that went to the scene & arrested 'Turkey' Holmes. I'll never forget Skip. The rain that day was the hardest I've ever seen in south Florida.

Patrick McJury
Friend of Meredith 'Skip' Runck Jr.

January 30, 2008

"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

October 4, 2007

Skip: We buried a fine officer here in wisconsin today so naturally we thought of that April Day in 1974 when we laid you to rest. We have attended too many of these in our careers. Please watch over your fellow officers so there won't be too many names added to the memorial next May.
Rest in peace
John and Debbi Roelandts
Oconomowoc Wisconsin
former Riviera Beach Police co workers

Deborah Roelandts
former Riviera Beach Police

May 24, 2007

Skip: John (351) and I were remembering you today especially after I saw the rememberance left by Sgt Mark Bohne. The day is so fresh in our memory I was working at the Er in St Marys when they brought you in. I think right then is when I decided to go into law enforcement.
I am proud of my accomplishments in my career and would like to think maybe I kept some officers safe because of the reality of the day you were shot
Rest in Peace Skip and remember alot of us from RBPD will never forget you
CO Deborah Sikes Roelandts
former RBPD
Waukesha County Sheriff
retired

Communications officer
retired RBPD and Waukesha County sheriff

April 14, 2007

I started my police career with the Riviera Beach Police Dept. in 1974. Skip as he was known by all of his friends was my Field Training Officer. He had dropped me off at the station to assist in Communications as they were short handed. I answered the phone call advising that he had been shot. I just wish that I had been there to help. I will never forget Skip. I have continued my police career and in 1986 I was shot 5 times by a suspect using a 45 caliber auto-loader. I am here because of the vest I was wearing, but I think Skip had a hand in this also.

Sgt. Mark C. Bohne
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

March 14, 2007

Still miss you my friend

chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc Police former RBPD Sgt

October 24, 2006