MESSAGE FROM
THE CHIEF
With
a heavy heart I advise our community of the off-duty death of Officer Richard G.
Nilos, 35, of Corona. Ricky was a valued member of the Department and will be
greatly missed. He was found unresponsive at his home this morning.
Ricky
was an 11-year veteran of the Fountain Valley Police Department, having been
hired by the Department while attending the Police Academy at Palomar College.
Prior to his law enforcement service, Ricky served as a United States Marine
Infantryman and was among the first to enter and liberate Iraq under fire in
2003 as part of the First Marine Division.
Ricky
was a recipient of many accolades for his tenure as a Motor Officer assigned to
the Traffic Bureau and was a certified Motorcycle Training Officer. He received
over 40 commendations - from Traffic Court referees, victims of crime or
vehicle collisions, and even people he issued tickets to! He was a recipient of
the Department’s Medal of Valor for his actions during a gun battle against a
deranged gunman armed with an assault rifle in 2010. He was also twice the recipient
of the Department’s Medal for Lifesaving. Ricky was a member of the Department
Color Guard, the West County SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team and the Department’s
Peer Support Team.
Ricky
was a husband and father to three boys.
Funeral
arrangements are pending.
Persons
wishing to make donations to Ricky’s family should make checks payable to the Fountain
Valley Police Officers’ Association, 18627 Brookhurst Street #441, Fountain
Valley 92708.
We
appreciate the support the Department has received for almost 50 years; now I
ask for your prayers and thoughts for the Nilos family, our City staff and
volunteers as we heal together.