Early on a Wednesday morning on Novemeber 23rd, 2005 I received a telephone call from a friend.

“Rick’s gone.”

What? Rick Spaulding, a brother police officer had suffered a heart attack after being involved in a pursuit and subsequent arrest of a suspect.

Rick had the suspect in the back of his police car and was transporting him to police headquarters for processing.

You can read his ODMP Memorial here.

Rick and I were friends. We spent many hours working the streets on midnights. Rick was always there. He was always the backup you never called for, never had to call for. He just showed up.

We promised Monica, Rick’s wife we would never forget Rick. And we never will. 3 years ago yesterday. Portsmouth, Virginia, America, lost a hero.

And we lost a friend.