After 30 Years, Retiring Los Al Cop to Say Goodbye to ‘2nd Home’

Sgt. Richard DeLeon plans to go on patrol one last time.

A 30-year Los Alamitos Police Department veteran, DeLeon, who responded to the only gang-related killing in recent memory, who guarded firefighters during the Los Angeles riots, who investigated everything from murders to bank robberies, will hand in his badge Friday.

“After working here for so many years, it certainly feels like a second home,” said DeLeon, 50, on the eve of his retirement. “I just appreciate having been able to serve in this community. It’s been a great place to work.”

The Los Alamitos Area of Chamber of Commerce will hold a retirement ceremony for DeLeon at 5 p.m. in Los Alamitos Council Chambers at City Hall at 3191 Katella Avenue.

DeLeon, a Riverside resident, joined the force as a part-time cadet in March of 1983 and became full-time officer the next year.

In his time on the Los Al PD, DeLeon served in a number of positions, including the detective bureau, where he investigated a number of crimes including murders, attempted murders, rapes and bank robberies.

Los Al PD Captain Bruce McAlpine said Deleon will leave “big shoes” to fill for whoever takes his place.

“We’re all very proud of Rick and his accomplishments through the years,” McAlpine said. “You know he’s going to be missed, but it’s a good career that’s coming to a close.”

“He’s done a lot for the community,” McAlpine added.

During DeLeon’s three decades in the 10,000 person community, he’s seen some things that stay with him: some pleasant, some not.

“A lot of people don’t realize that we‘ve, over the years, had several homicides,” DeLeon said. “Those definitely have an impact when you realize a life was taken.”

He still recalls responding to the only gang killing he’d seen in his time in the city.

“I was actually the first one to arrive on scene,” DeLeon said of the late ‘90s incident. “The victim had been stabbed during a party. ... When I got there, he was lying in the driveway. It was a pretty bloody scene. He was still gasping for air.”

The man passed away, but DeLeon testified at the killer’s trial. Because of the work of the Los Al PD, DeLeon said, they got a conviction.

DeLeon also helped defend firefighters during the 1992 Los Angeles riots when a number of Los Al PD officers were called up to the city to keep the peace. DeLeon said he and other officers provided security while crews put out flames.

As for the pleasant memories, DeLeon said, one that sticks with him is the case of a woman who’d made a complete transformation.

He’d arrested a local and put her in jail a few times for drug possession, but a few years later, he said, she came to him and thanked him for his service and his respectful treatment of her.

“She basically had cleaned up her life and had a full-time job and was off drugs,” DeLeon said. “I got to know her and her family and her kids at the time.”

He even served as a mentor for her children.

As his time on the force draws to a close, DeLeon said he thinks of his brothers and sisters in the department as “more like a family.”

“I’ve built some great friendships here,” DeLeon said. “I definitely love them all, and I’m going to miss them all.”

After retiring, DeLeon hopes to start some new hobbies in his garage. He also wants to resume surfing — which he said he hasn’t been able to do for a long time — and wants to look into working on service projects at his church, including giving food to the needy and going on missionary trips. He will also have more time to spend with his wife and his 13-year-old stepson.

On his last day, DeLeon said he doesn’t plan to do that much different than usual.

 “I’m going to try to make it as normal as possible and be out there patrolling in my police car,” DeLeon said.

However, he added, he does hope to say a few goodbyes in a community that’s been a part of his life for 30 years.

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