19th District officer Richard Francis #5276, 60, a 27 year veteran was murdered this morning at Belmont & Western.
Thoughts and prayers for Officer Francis, his family, friends and the men and women of the 19th district.
Rest In Peace Richard
Please vist Officer Down Memorial Page and leave a reflection.
19 comments:
Terrible day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Francis and his family. May God bless him.
God bless you, Officer Francis. My sincere condolences to your family. This is an absolute tragedy. 001 Dist, 1st Watch
What a tragedy. No respect for the badge of a police officer. They are doing a job to protect the citizens and this happens way too often. May God bless everyone in nuiform & keep you safe. Thanks for all you do.
RIP Officer Francis
i'm sorry you were killed---its not fair---you were our brother--God bless you and your family
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave officer, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
An unbelievable and powerful picture. God Bless his family, his partner and the 019 district.
As hard as this may be for some to come to grips with, I'm hearing now that the woman who murdered Ofc. Francis is a mental who frequently slept at the station many nights, and is a mental case.
If that is the situation, try to find it in your hearts to forgive her as well. What's done is done, and as loved as Rick was, we can't bring him back. He's been called to be a part of God's force in heaven.
To the family of Ofc. Francis, may God bless you and give you comfort in this time of great loss and sorrow. Rick will be missed by many. He was a role model to countless recruits who were fortunate enough to be under his tutelage in the Districts he worked in over 2+ decades of professional service to the CPD.
You have a lot to be proud of. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
irony of life--the 19th district has not had 1 agg. battery up to the death of Officer Francis--how cruel
"Anonymous said...
As hard as this may be for some to come to grips with, I'm hearing now that the woman who murdered Ofc. Francis is a mental who frequently slept at the station many nights, and is a mental case.
If that is the situation, try to find it in your hearts to forgive her as well. What's done is done, and as loved as Rick was, we can't bring him back. He's been called to be a part of God's force in heaven...
Thu Jul 03, 09:21:00 AM"
Actually we should take another look at the wisdom of letting these nasty homeless stinky murdering bustouts sleep in our lobbies. If they aren't under arrest they have no business sleeping in a police facility.
I don't have to forgive her nor will I ever.
For your information all stations are cooling and warming centers.
Being retired for over 10 years and living in Arizona I have been asked by friends out here if I knew Officer Francis. Personally I did not know him. But in my heart I knew him, just as I know every officer on the job.
You may find your current adminstration difficult to deal with. Let me assure you there have been problems with every administration. In time this will pass and you will prevail.
May God bless Officer Francis and each and each and every one of you. Be Safe.
"Anonymous said...
For your information all stations are cooling and warming centers.
Fri Jul 04, 07:36:00 AM
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I think that was my point. Do you think it's wise for every station to be a warming and cooling center?
Apparently, I need to spell it out for you. It's a bad policy.
I stand by my original point.
When I saw this picture, I started crying. Then I've been reading about this homeless broad and the sadness has turned into deep anger.
what the HELL? Our city/state cannot pass laws to protect you people???? In FL officers have the Baker Act. You can use your judgement to take someone who may have mental issues to a hospital.
What makes this even worse is how I read that you allowed her to sleep at the station. I mean, that's the same as taking in a person off the street so they have shelter.
This is not right... but now we have lost another star.
Hey, Florida copper, we take mentals to hospitals too, but guess what? They will eventually release them. Not enough money in it. Nd they return to familiar surroundings. That, and with all Police stations being heating and cooling centers, we basically have an army of forgotten folks basically living on our steps, and in our public bathrooms of our police stations here. And large numbers of them have serious, untreated or sporadically treated mental issues. Until the public becomes outraged enough about it and money is found (or a new tax raised, now there's a catch phrase for a politician's short employment plan), things will continue as they are. And I would have to agree with the other poster who stated that this obviously ill woman should be forgiven. The real shame of it all lies with her family, who show so much concern NOW, but didn't when she was obviously making her way as best she could, living a bleak life in the vicinity of Belmont & Western.
The desk crews in most stations feed these homeless persons living in the stations like one would feed a stray cat.
I'd rather feed a stray cat or dog. They don't pull the trigger on you.
Remember, you're a public servant, now serve the public and take care of the wasted souls.
I'll forgive her as soon as officer Francis is back home with his family.
Snethen
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