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A processional of police cars and a ladder truck flying an American flag served as somber tributes Wednesday, as family and friends gathered to honor a fallen police officer and volunteer firefighter.
Hundreds filled the Borgwardt Funeral Home in Beltsville Wednesday afternoon to remember slain Prince George's County police Corporal Richard Findley.
Corporal Findley was run down Friday by a speeding truck during a traffic stop. He was survived by his wife and daughters.
"It's terrible. The fire department lost a great guy, a great friend," said Ron Haufe.
Friends and colleagues remembered him as a selfless man committed to his community.
"It's a terrible loss," said Lori Golden, a family friend. "He lived to help people. He started firefighting when he was in high school. He just wanted to help people."
"He was so dedicated to everything he did so it's a definite loss to the community," said Stephanie Skinner, a family friend.
An honor guard saluted Findley's family as they filed into the afternoon viewing. Friends recalled his commitment to family, community, and fellow officers.
"It's heartbreaking," said Jessica Tye. "He was a wonderful man -- just a great person, wonderful father and he will be missed greatly by so many people."
"It could have been me. It could have been any of us," said Prince George's County police Sergeant Lisa Muhammad. "And every day we get up and we live with that, that it could've been any of us not going home and to know that it happened to a brother -- It hurts."
The Findley family is holding another viewing for Corporal Findley Wednesday night at the Borgwardt Funeral Home in Beltsville, from 7-9 p.m. The funeral home is located at 4400 Powder Mill Road.
The funeral will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Beltsville. The address is 11007 Montgomery Road.
Additional parking for the viewing and the funeral service will be at the Beltsville Elementary School, 4300 Wicomico Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland. Shuttle service will be available from the school.
As someone who works in a law enforcement community it breaks my heart to hear stories like this. On any given day these men and women go to work wondering what day is their last. Try thanking one.. for the job they do..next time you see one. Sadly there is no legs to a story about an officer who served his community to protect and serve others. Not only a unique individual for being a part of the blue line, but astonishing in the fact he volunteered to dance the red line as well.
My heart and prayers go out to PGCPD for their loss, the widow and family of Cpl. Findley.
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