Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brad you were so much fun to work with and your genuine smile and sense of humor always made everything better in the jail. When you were taken from us way too soon, the world became a much darker place.

Professional Civilian Supervisor Sherry
OCSD

November 17, 2023

23 yrs has come and gone, my friend, today i was reminded of the memories together as partners, roommates. My partner , working as EMT'S with MEDIX Amb. Service and Fire Suppression Volunteers OCFA in the mid-80's,..and becoming your roommate, along with your wife, always felt very welcomed. Recalling that day you were Honored for taking down a man with a gun, outside the Courthouse. Brad, I'm deeply sadden each moment i think about our friendship, R.I.P. my deepest Condolences to your Wife and Child..

Roger Ranirez, EMT ret.
AMR , LACO-EMS

August 1, 2023

24 years and we haven't forgotten. Sure hope you're continuing to rest easy and in eternal peace Brad. We sure do miss you still. A couple of our Station 18 brothers have joined you in eternal paradise this past year. Hope you all are having fun up there and continue to watch over all of us down here. We will never forget !!!!!!!!!

HEROES NEVER DIE....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2023

We haven't forgot your sacrifice my friend and we never will. Here's hoping that you are continuing to rest in eternal peace and are enjoying your beat up in heaven with all your other Station 18 friends and other heroes in blue. We miss you buddy and we'll never forget !!!!

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2022

23 years, my friend. You are and always will be, in my heart and memory. Reliving every minute of that night. Will see you someday.

Deputy Sheriff Retired, Lori Cleeland-He
Orange County Sheriffs Department, CA

June 12, 2022

Yet another year has passed and yet another year has gone where you have not been able to proudly serve the community you loved, or enjoyed the personal pleasures you deserved. All of our area briefings will play your video so those that knew you do not forget, and those that did not may have some understanding about the person you were. The Orange County Sheriff's Department has not forgotten you and your picture hangs throughout the Department in remembrance.

We worked together for several years. I am near retirement age as I know you would have been also. Your smile and laugh will carry in my memory forever. I will see you tomorrow at your final resting place. God bless.

Commander Jared Dahl
Orange County Sheriff's Department

June 11, 2021

My dear Brad, my best friend my sons namesake, your Purple Heart hangs on our wall, your flag on my desk, your jacket is on your namesakes back! He’s 21 now where has time gone? We were meant to revisit you after you gave us the perfect honeymoon and renew Our vows with you in Vegas but we lost you! If we could visit your memorial we would come and lay Your mums ashes to rest with you, we I’ll one day when we have the money until then my love we will keep her safe waiting to keep you all together. Love you forever Brad always have always will my hero xxx

Leanne Bowles
His closet familyHis mothers niece, his go to his best friend and cuz

August 17, 2020

21 years buddy and the pain is still fresh and real. We miss you Brad. Sure hope you're still enjoying your 'beat' up in heaven. Thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow man. A true hero you'll always be. We will never ever forget !!!!

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 16, 2020

What a solid deputy and true public servant. I am grateful for the brief time we worked together, right up until your last shift. Unfortunately you are now joined by another old partner, Sgt. Steve Torres (Sta.18-ret.), both of you are missed greatly.

Deputy Bill Harer
OCSD retired

June 12, 2019

Wow Brad, today marks 20 years since we all heard about your fateful night. And we still miss you and think about you as if it were yesterday. You were a great cop, a good friend and even better man. Thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice buddy. The pain never really goes away. May you continue to rest in eternal peace.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Riches,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Orange County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

June 12, 2019

To my cousin who left way too soon. I love you and think about you all the time.

Sgt. Cheryl Bradley
Vanderbilt Police
Nashville, Tn

October 31, 2018

19 years and counting buddy. Man, it seems like yesterday when we all heard about the fateful news. You're still missed, still thought about and still loved brother. May you forever continue to rest in peace my friend. We will NEVER FORGET !!!!

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 14, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. Thoughts and prayers for your family, friends and coworkers. You will not be forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 12, 2018

Another year, my friend. Now I hear your lovely mother has joined you. Blessings and peace to you both and your beloved family left here on earth. Always in my heart!

Lori Cleeland-Herian, Deputy Sheriff
OCSD, retired

June 13, 2017

It's nice to know you are now joined in heaven with your beautiful mother Merial, who joined you on January 21st. Sure wish we could have enjoyed you a little longer here on earth buddy. We still do miss you and think about all the time. You were a good man, a good friend and a good deputy. Rest in eternal peace, my friend !!!!

We will NEVER forget...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2017

18 years...seems like yesterday.

So sorry to hear Brad's lovely mother Meriel Riches has passed away, but a least they are together again.

To all my brothers and sisters; stay vigilant, stay safe, watch out for each other. Most importantly, be a member of the community you serve. Serve with pride and gratitude and a willingness to be a positive influence - just like Brad.

Valerie Rehnelt - Deputy Sheriff II ret.
OCSD

June 12, 2017

On Saturday 21st January 2017 Meriel Riches, mother of Bradley Jay Riches sadly passed away still grieving the loss of a wonderful son.

Margaret (Cherrry) Miller
Sister of Meriel and Aunt of the late and loved Brad

January 23, 2017

Deputy Riches was a light to me I am sure even more to those who knew him, he was honest and cared enough to say something helpful to someone who was in need of direction, that is how I know him, he was on duty when I was in custody and he pulled me aside said something that was transforming in my life. This man was genuine , deep and selfless at times and well centered. It was brutal what happened to him and would have been if it was any other deputy or officer wearing a uniform. These men and women risk their lives for a safer community. So Thanks for taking the time for me and know I've not forgotten and still mention you in my prayers much L and respect

Greg Duffin
Just someone who cares and remembers

January 13, 2017

17 years and we have not and will not forget Brad. Thank you for your sacrifice as we continue to honor and remember you. Hope you're enjoyin' patrolling the streets of heaven buddy. We all miss you !!!!

HEROES NEVER DIE.....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2016

One of our young patrol officers was killed in the line of duty last week. My neighbor Rob Riches walked across the street to deliver a letter of condolence that he asked me to give to our officer's family. Rob explained to me that his brother Brad was killed in the line of duty in 1999. I found Brad's story here and I am humbled by his service and sacrifice. I felt compelled to post this in honor of Brad and out of respect to Brad's brother and father.

Brent Stratton
Bakersfield Police Department
Bakersfield, CA

July 2, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

Remembering and honoring you today Brad. 16 years ago you were tragically taken from us and the pain still does not go away. Wish you were around now so we could all be enjoying our retirement years together. Thank you for your sacrifice buddy...we will NEVER FORGET !!!!!! You are a HERO....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

June 12, 2015

Thinking of you and wondering how you would have celebrated your 50th birthday today. I remember mine and hope it would have been as happy! As always, remembering and honoring you! Rest easy, brother.

Lori Cleeland-Herian, Deputy Sheriff
Orange County Sheriff's Dept. (Retired) Patrol partner and friend

May 26, 2015

I was thinking of you today Brad and tears swelled in my eyes as I remembered working with you for years in the jail and going places off duty together. I will never forget you. We never did go to England together but I went in your memory. Miss you Brother!

Albert Macias
OCSD RET. LINE OF DUTY

December 3, 2014