Jul 3, 2008 11:08 pm US/Eastern
Friends & Family Say Goodbye To P.G. Co. Officer
BELTSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
He was a husband, a father and an officer of the law. That's how a Prince George's County corporal, who lived in Carroll County, was remembered on Thursday during his funeral in Beltsville.
Kelly McPherson reports the service was attended by hundreds of friends, family and co-workers.
With heavy hearts and memories of Richard Findley alive in their minds, those who served with the father, husband, volunteer firefighter and Prince George's County Police Corporal gave him the respect he earned.
"We are a tight-knit community," said Gail Belshay, family friend.
Black bunting draped his patrol car. Bagpipes played as colleagues loaded his casket onto a firetruck.
Findley died in the line of duty trying to bust a stolen pickup truck in Laurel last week.
Investigators say the driver, Ronnie White from Howard County, ran him over. Findley's body was dragged for several feet.
"The stories that we heard about his life and the sacrifices that he made not only for us, but for his family...it was overwhelming," said Aisha Braveboy, Delegate P.G. County.
One tragedy quickly turned into two. Police locked up White at the Prince George's County Correctional Center in solitary confinement.
Just a few correctional officers had access to him. He had no health problems and wasn't suicidal, yet White ended up a murder victim.
He was found two days after Findley's murder.
He was strangled and had broken bones in his neck and broken ribs, but there have been no arrests.
The FBI is investigating, and the NAACP is calling for the suspension of officers until White's murder is solved.
With that cloud hanging over their heads, mourners simply wanted to remember Corporal Findley, a go-to cop who made his home in Carroll County.
His wife called their marriage perfect. He loved his two little girls. Now their all-American life has been shattered.
"Obviously he has touched many, many lives. It's pretty apparent," said Marina Lopez, Beltsville resident.
People here say he was the picture of a true hero.
Findley died fighting for justice, now the loved ones of his accused killer want the same.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows
