Feb. 6, 1961 — Jan. 6, 2009

Rick was an officer with Taylorville City Police for 24 years, the D.A.R.E. officer for 14 years and a member of the National Guard for 22 years. He had a master’s degree from UIS in community counseling and taught criminology classes for Lincoln Land Community College. He was trained as a welder and a massage therapist. His friends and Cassandra will remember him for singing “Tainted Love” and the Underdog theme song and wearing his trademark swim trunks and sweatshirts.

Loyal friend, great dad, amazing boyfriend, loving companion, tough counselor, gentle warrior, compassionate cop, relentless jokester, aspiring beach bum, quirky wit, intrepid traveler, spiritual seeker, dearly loved, too soon gone.

Diana Smith Taylorville