October 31st, ...bittersweet for so many St. Louis County Police Officers, as it is Halloween and a day I will never forget... I post something every year on October 31st as I promised I would never forget – the life of a very good man, Sergeant Richard Weinhold. As a new police recruit at the SLCMPA (St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy) in April of 1998 I always knew something could tragically go wrong once I actually began my career as a law enforcement officer. The experience as a recruit was life changing, rewarding, and after a very grueling, almost, six months, on graduation night extremely empowering. While I studied and trained I truly had the pleasure of learning from SLCMPA Instructor St. Louis County PO Richard Weinhold, a.k.a. Rick. He was kind of a softy among all of the others. Also, Rick was my cheerleader. I believe he saw something in me and was proud of me when I excelled! Once you graduate and are assigned to a precinct, you occasionally go back to the academy, as a respected peer instead of a lowly recruit, for continuing education hours (POST or Peace Officer Standards and Training). I would see Rick as a friendly face and truly looked up to him. I remember his stories of experience in my State Statutes class, which could have been very boring without him. He had an incredible sense of humor and outlook which helped on the street when I would reflect back asking how would Rick handle this one? By October 31, 2000 Rick had been promoted to Sergeant and was back on the street in the 1st Precinct. I was heading back to the street on midnight shift in the 4th Precinct - having been on light duty after enduring a new injury which involved ACL reconstruction and three months of intensive rehab. I was so thrilled when I left my last day of physical therapy and given the doctor’s clearance to head back to the street! I hated being away from the career I loved immensely. I walked in the door of my apartment planning to take a little nap before I showered and suited up, once again in my uniform after my final physical therapy appointment - 3 three long months. I was on top of the world! Free at last, about to be released back to my little playground where I did what I knew best! I noticed that I had received a message and quickly checked it. It was Sergeant Ostendorf. I thought she was calling to check on me as I was just coming back to the street. Her voice was different causing me to listen intently; Sergeant Weinhold was shot and killed this afternoon… As in Rick Weinhold I thought. It didn’t matter who because when one of your own is murdered in the line of duty it hurts, bad. Then to find that it is someone who you admire and respect. Someone who you looked up to, a mentor, the pain resonates throughout your entire being. I could sit and continue to write on and on about who Rick was and what he meant to the community but mostly to my family. I will briefly share that he was a very dear friend of my husband and it is because of Rick that Stephen and I came together. Rick is remembered regularly in our home. It hurts that he is gone and taken too soon by a homicidal asshole who just wanted to kill. Rick’s death is not in vain! I have become a better person because you had to leave us. Sergeant Richard Weinhold I will NEVER forget you! You are deeply missed even though I know you are still here with that shit-eaten grin you had making us smile when we think of you! odmp.org/officer/15471-sergeant-richard-eric-weinhold
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:31:53 +0000
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