[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 152 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DETECTIVE DICK RIDENOUR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 11, 2000

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize my good friend, 
Detective Dick Ridenour, on the occasion of his retirement from Modesto 
Police Department after 31 years in law enforcement.
  Dick Ridenour is an exemplary law enforcement professional. His 
career is noted by some of the most serious criminal investigations 
conducted by the Modesto Police Department.
  Some of the highlights started in early 1978, where Ridenour's first 
major homicide involved a double murder-for-hire. Ridenour's 
investigation led him to several states, interviewing multiple suspects 
and witnesses. During the lengthy investigation, he had threats against 
his life by organized crime figures and other suspects, when he 
uncovered an unrelated crime involving several public figures in 
Nevada.
  A year later, Ridenour was first on scene to a robbery-homicide where 
a 17-year-old youth was killed. Ironically, the victim turned out to be 
Ridenour's own nephew, Michael Ridenour, who was shot and killed during 
a robbery at a baseball field. Although, Ridenour was removed as the 
primary homicide detective on this case, he never gave up and located 
the suspect who was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison for 45 
years. When the suspect escaped from prison, after only serving a few 
months, Ridenour continued his unofficial mission to relocate and 
return him to prison. After seven years, Ridenour discovered the 
escaped prisoner's address leading to his re-arrest in Puerto Rico.
  In 1981, Ridenour was the primary investigator of a triple homicide 
that was successfully prosecuted and the perpetrator was sentenced to 
life in prison. During Ridenour's final years, he was assigned to solve 
cold homicide cases where leads had dried up. Ridenour's exceptionally 
investigative skills helped solve several of those cases and the 
defendants are currently in prison for those murders.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report, that despite being in the most 
dangerous of situations, Dick's professionalism and ability to remain 
cool under pressure allowed him to refrain from ever using deadly 
force.
  Ridenour has received numerous honors for his work including being 
named Peace Officer of the Year in 1990. He served as president of 
Modesto Police Officer Association from 1979-1985 and has received 
several awards from local civic clubs.
  It is my distinct honor to recognize the contributions of Detective 
Dick Ridenour to our community. He has left a distinguished legacy of 
unselfish service. I wish him well on his retirement and ask that my 
colleagues rise and join me in honoring him on the occasion of his 
retirement.

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