Archive for the ‘Memorial Page’ Category

Click here to sign a guestbook for Ricky

Boston suffered a chink in its armor after the senseless slaying of Suffolk County Sergeant Richard Dever.  An immensely popular man, Ricky’s tragic loss is surely reverberating around metropolitan Boston in all circles of life.   Ricky was a picture perfect Boston guy—the pride of Dorchester.  He possessed all the ingredients of a winner: a devoted family man, an undeniable lady’s man and the consummate man’s man.  His affable manner, cool gait and Hollywood smile were all part of the Ricky Dever package.  He seemed ageless, full of so much vitality you’d think he’d always be around to offer a helping hand or just provide a laugh.

Words such as exemplary and gregarious have recently been used to characterize Ricky Dever.  They are true—but in truth—the list of adjectives and accolades are endless.  Ricky had an intangible quality—an air—that few people have.   It’s called presence.

On the night of March 18, 2005, two worlds collided.  In Ricky there was loyalty, virtue, righteousness, and courage.  In the other corner were despair, addiction, and evil.  His slayer was, in effect, the anti-Ricky.  His heinous actions robbed Ricky of life.  What the slayer doesn’t know, however, is that he can’t steal the fresh breath of life that Ricky instilled in everyone he touched.  That, along with his memories, is priceless.  Ricky Dever was a man of honor, and Boston should know.

Sincerely,  Thomas Donahue, Deputy Sheriff, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, Boston, MA

A Tribute to Rick Dever

On March 18, 2005, when I heard the shocking news of Rick Dever’s death, I cried.  I cried for Rick’s family and all of his close friends.  There is a small hole in my heart as well as all of my brothers and sisters at Local 419 who knew and worked with Rick.  The news of how Rick died as a hero doesn’t surprise me at all.  If there was a problem at South Bay and his fellow officers needed help, Rick was always there.  That was just the kind of person he was.  Nobody, and I mean nobody, ever had a bad thing to say about Rick, and why would they.  He was just a likable guy.  To the senseless, scumbag coward that committed this horrific crime on our friend, may you rot in hell!  Your one despicable act against my friend should get you a one way ticket to hell.  God obviously had a plan for Rick that we didn’t know about.  I know one person who will be happy when he rings the bell at Heaven’s Gate.  Rick is in a better place now.  They say time heals all wounds.  Unfortunately for us, Rick’s tragic passing will take a long time to heal.  I’ll miss talking football with you in the fall, Rick.  God Bless you.

Your friend,
Mike Gannon.

I am truly sadden and angered to hear of your and my brothers senseless death. This is one of the many reasons why the job is a very dangerous and thankless job that Ricky and his brothers do on a daily basis, in uniform or street cloths. ON A DAILY BASIS!!! We sometimes ourselves get complacent and routine and lose sight of how important a role Ricky and the brothers play in society and law enforcement you play. Your job is never done and I personally thank you for putting on the uniform and do a job nobody else would even think of doing or imagine what it is like. I personally knew Ricky and loved him as a brother and what he was all about. See Rick was the exact opposite of the heartless coward the robed you, his family, and his friends. The COWARD also robed other people of his friendship that he has not met yet. The world is truly a lot lighter without him. I have worked and spent little time with Rick and he is a mans man, and a ladies man. He walked softly and carried a huge stick. Never problem causer buy a solver. A heart of a lion but could walk on rice paper. We have many experiences in life, because that’s all we do is experience it. Rick is one of those experiences I will never forget and cherish the thought that I had the opportunity to know him. He never looked down on me and kept me eye to eye. Some of us wonder from time to time who is friend and who is foe, Rick never had to wonder, he didn’t have to. My condolences to the mighty 419, to his family my prayers and my heart, and to his friends. It is a loss even to me.

Your Friend, Thomas Call.

Marquis Barker… May he rest in peace

ROBERT ZIMINSKI, 27, suddenly, devoted son of Helen (nee Mieczkowski) and Eugeniusz Ziminski; loving brother of Irene(Keith) Gouge and Peter (Elizabeth) Ziminski; loving grandson of Franciszek (late Genowefa Teresa) Mieczkowski and Filomena (late Wladyslaw) Ziminski; dear uncle of Connor and Bailey; also many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.Robert was a Deputy Sheriff Corrections Officer for Suffolk County in Massachusetts. He is a 1998 graduate of Willow Springs School and a 2002 graduate of Argo High School where he played football, as well as placed second in the State of Illinois in wrestling. He graduated in 2006 from Boston College, where he also played football for four years. Robert is a former member of the Wesoly Lud and the Polish Roman Catholic Union.The Ziminski Family appreciates donations in lieu of flowers to the Argo Scholarship Foundation in Robert’s name. Donations can be sent to: Argo High School, Argo Scholarship Foundation-Robert Ziminski, 7329 West 63rd Street, Summit, Illinois 60501 or The Robert Ziminski Memorial Scholarship Fund, Sovereign Bank, 780 Gallivan Blvd., Dorchester, MA 02122     Sign Guest book for Robert Ziminski

Local 419 Sadly announces the passing of: Sgt. Francis X. Maher (retired)