CHARLTON, Mass. — Two Massachusetts police departments are mourning the untimely death of a veteran police officer who passed away over the weekend.
Officer Richard Reddick, a K9 officer with the Charlton Police Department since 2023 and a 21-year veteran of the Southbridge Police Department, died on Sunday night, the departments announced Tuesday in separate social media posts.
“It is with incredible sadness and regret that we announce the untimely passing of Police Officer Richard Reddick,” Charlton police wrote in a Facebook post. “Please keep him, his family, and those close to him in your thoughts and prayers.”
Reddick began his career in law enforcement as a full-time officer in Southbridge in January 2022 and later became a K9 officer in 2004.
Reddick worked alongside K9s Chase, Mika, and Pablo over two decades before transferring to the Charlton Police Department in March 2023.
“Rich protected the residents of our community for more than 21 years and served the law enforcement profession for more than 23 total years,” Southbridge police wrote in a Facebook post. “Rich will be missed by his friends and colleagues and anyone who ever had the privilege of working with him at our department would tell you he was a ‘cop’s cop,’ which is a compliment in our profession.”
Southbridge police said Reddick also volunteered countless hours doing K9 demonstrations at schools for the children in the community.
“Rich made many sacrifices that all police officers make when we get into this profession by working nights, holidays, weekends, etc., and having to spend time away from your family,” Southbridge police added. “His impact will be felt at our department for years to come and he will forever be missed.”
Services for Reddick will be announced at a later date.
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