Dear Chief Schwartz, Mrs. Schwartz & all of our wonderful Firefighters,

Thank you for a very enjoyable Sunday and then today. Joey & I had a such a wonderful time! Thank you so much for the t-shirts. Joey will wear them with lots of pride! We will be visiting you soon. You may even see Joey out & about ... proudly wearing his BVFD shirts! I got some great pictures & videos today!

Thank you for being so great with Joey. He is a very special little boy ... but he is a 'true blue boy' & a total handful!!!

See you soon,
Sandy & Joey

First Of all I would like to thank all the members of Beltsville fire department for extending there house to me to visit while I was down. Even though I have now become a member of station 14. I always look forward to seeing you guys on runs. I thank the officers and the firefighters of 31 for making things easy for me while I visited. The work you guys are doing on your firehouse is great. Please take care of my brother kyle for sometimes he needs guidance, and may you all continue to do the work at hand of protecting Lives and property and staying safe while doing that.
Thank you and God Bless
Steve Bartholomew
Jim Thorpe Fire Department
Training Officer/Phoenix Hose Co #2
Squad Company 51 & BHVFD Station 14 Probationary FF

To Al and all the members of the BVFD,
I would like to send my condolences to each and everyone of you in regards to Rich's departure. He was such a wonderful guy. His sense of humor, and beautiful smile will be missed greatly. Kelly I know you don't know me, but I would like to say I'm so sorry for what you and your daughters are going through. With the grace of GOD he will give you the strength to help you through this difficult time. If there is anything I can do for you Kelly please don't hesitate to ask. I'm good friends of the Fletcher family. I would also like to comment on the fundraiser that was held on Aug. 23,2008. There was such a wonderful turnout. The motorcycles looked awesome.
RIP RICH
Al the fire department website is the best I have seen. Keep up the good work and may GOD bless each and everyone of you. Kelly you and the girls will be in my prayers at all times. I would also like to say to Rich's parents I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so blessed to have known Rich. Rich may be gone but he will never be forgotten.

Lots of great pics. I really like checking out the older stuff from back in the day. Need more pics of my old man

Kelly & the girls,

You girls are always in my prayers and I love you guys. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to have Rich in my life for the short time I did. The blessing also brought you and the girls to enrich my life also. I am so sorry for your lost and I am here for you all. Here is a little something that I wanted to pass to you girls.

"Welcome Home"

For those I Love and
For those who Love me

When I am gone, release me,
Let me go,
I have so many things
too see and do

You mustn't tie yourself
to me with tears.
Be happy that we had
so many years.

I gave you my love.
You can only guess
how much you gave to me
in happiness.

I thank you for the love you
each have shown,
But now its time
I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me,
if grieve you must;
Then let your grief
be comforted by trust.

It's only for a while
we must part,
So bless the memories
that lie within your heart.

I won't be far away,
for life goes on.
So if you need me
call and I will come . . . .

Tho you can't see me
or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart
you will hear
All of my love around you
soft and clear.

And then
when you come this way alone . . .
I'll greet you with a smile
and "Welcome Home"

Kelly this is dedicated to Rich but it gave me much comfort when I needed it. I love you guys!!!!! God Bless You

Iloved your site. I was born and raised in Beltsville. When I got married 35 yrs. ago I moved to Virigina with my husband and raised a family.He was a member of the First Aid Crew. Now my son Danny Brown is a member of the Big Island Volunteer Fire Department he works for the Bedford CountyE911 dispatch.I try to vist Firehouses when I go to vist, but this year my Husband passed away. I am going to e-mail your site to him.

Danny Brown bivfd219@aol.co
site BigIslandVolunteerFireDepartment

Carol U. Brown

May the lord bless his wife and his daughters thur this difficult time.

Peace be with you!

Lisa Termini-Byerly

I have been a member of the Bradenton Fire Department for 17 years.

My condolences to Richard's family and to your department.

Richard G. Findla
Fire Inspector
Bradenton Fire Deparetment

To Kelly and Rich's daughters, and his brothers and sisters at Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department and Prince George's County Police Department. Rich was a true "HERO"! Everywhere I have been around Beltsville I have heard a "tale" about Rich. Rich made people laugh, he put a smile on their face. Rich loved his family and his community. God Bless Rich. I will keep all of his family in my thoughts and prayers. We may have lost a HERO but he will not be forgotten. Karen

To The Findley Family: As you embark on this most difficult time in your life, Remember that God is with you and turn to Him for comfort as you deal with these unfortunate circumstances. My Family will continue to up lift your Family in Prayer. May the Peace of the Lord be with you and your Family.

Respectfully,
The Howard Family

As a retired police Captain with the City of Laurel, I can understand your absolute grief and sorrow experienced by members of Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department with the tragic loss of one of your members. Word cannot begin to express our deepest thoughts for your members who have lost a valuable friend and co-worker.

The members of the Forestville Vol. Fire Dept. extend their deepest sorrows for your loss of a fellow Firefighter, dedicated Police Officer and devoted father and husband.

May our thoughts and prayers be a comfort to you at this very difficult time.

I just wanted to send my condolences to your entire department, and the family of Richard Findley.
I was in the parking lot, right after this occured.
I find it a shame, that this dedicated public servant was rund down as cruelly as he was.
Please tell his wife that your family is in my prayers every night.
God bless "findog".

The loss of you as a friend, firefighter and police officer is devastating, we knew you as all of those. But most importantly as a husband and father. We will continue forever to be there for Kelly, Nicole and Lauren aka (Little Rich), because we know that is what you would have wanted. Rich, you will be forever in our hearts!

Thank you Rich for coming into our lives!

I hope this prayer will comfort family and friends.

DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME, FOR NOW I'M FREE!
I FOLLOW THE PLAN GOD LAID FOR ME.
I SAW HIS FACE, I HEARD HIS CALL,
I TOOK HIS HAND AND LEFT IT ALL...
I COULD NOT STAY ANOTHER DAY,
TO LOVE, TO LAUGH, TO WORK OR PLAY;
TASKS LEFT UNDONE MUST STAY THAT WAY.
AND IF MY PARTING HAS LEFT A VOID,
THEN FILL IT WITH REMEMBERED JOY.
A FRIENDSHIP SHARED, A LAUGH, A KISS...
AH YES, THESE THINGS I, TOO, SHALL MISS.
MY LIFE'S BEEN FULL, I'VE SAVOURED MUCH:
GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, A LOVED-ONE'S TOUCH.
PERHAPS MY TIME SEEMED ALL TOO BRIEF-
DON'T SHORTEN THEM WITH UNDUE GRIEF.
BE NOT BURDENED WITH TEARS OF SORROW,
ENJOY THE SUNSHINE OF THE MORROW.

RIP RICH!

"OUR HERO POLICE OFFICERS RISK THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY TO PROTECT AND SERVE US. AND THEY ARE SUBJECT TO STRESSES, PRESSURES, AND DANGERS THAT FEW OF US COULD EVEN IMAGINE."

THEY ARE FATHERS, BROTHERS, SON'S AND UNCLES...

THEY ARE MOTHERS, SISTERS, DAUGHTERS, AUNT'S...

YOU GO TO WORK IN A SUIT AND CARRY A BRIEF CASE...
THEY GO TO WORK WITH A BULLET PROOF VEST, PEPPER SPRAY, AND GLOCKS STRAPPED TO THEIR WAIST...

YOU WORK AT A DESK WITH A NICE COMFORTABLE CHAIR WITH A CORNER WINDOW ON THE 5TH FLOOR...
THEIR OFFICE HAS 4 WHEELS, 4 DOORS, LIGHTS, AND SIRENS...

POLICE OFFICERS ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE THE REST OF US...THEY HAVE FAMILIES, THEY COME HOME TO THEIR CHILDREN WAITING FOR THEM AT THE DOOR...

WHEN THE WEATHER IS AWFUL AND YOU STAY INSIDE DRINKING COFFEE OR HOT COCOA, THEY ARE OUT THERE PROTECTING OTHERS LIVES AND HELPING WHOMEVER IS IN NEED...PUTTING THEIR OWN SAFETY AT RISK...

IN THE RAIN...
OR THE SNOW...
EVEN HURRICAINES...THEY ARE THERE...

THEY ARE THERE TO COMFORT YOU WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES...

THEY ARE THERE TO COMFORT A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER WAS JUST ARRESTED FOR SELLING HERSELF ON THE STREET CORNER, JUST SO SHE CAN PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE...

THEY ARE THE ONE'S WHO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SAFE ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR VACATION IN CANCUN....

YET SOME OFFICERS MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRAFICE....THEY RISK IT ALL TO SAVE ANOTHER...OR FELLOW BROTHER...

"OFFICER DOWN, OFFICER NEEDS HELP" ARE THE WORDS THAT CAN CHANGE LIVES FOREVER. WORDS THAT REMAIN FOREVER PRESENT AND IRREMOVABLE IN THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF THE POLICE FAMILY.

WE WILL FOREVER BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE...

WE SALUTE YOU...

GOD BLESS

RIP RICH
YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW YOU

Kelly - We learned about your terrible loss while on vacation. We are so sorry that we were not here to attend any of the services, but know that you and the girls have been in our prayers constantly. As a member of the FGC family, you play an important part in all of our daughters' lives. If there is anything we can do, you know that we are ALL there for you.

I just wanted to say to Kelly and the girls and the Beltsville VFD how sorry I am on the death of Rich. I do not like to use the loss because we did not lose him but that he has found his way home to be with the Lord. I know your hearts are heavy laden now but just remember the fun times and the smiles. That is want he would have wanted.

Kelly, I have to tell you to lean on your fire department family because that is one strong family to have. They will always be there for you!!!!

God Bless all.

God Bless! RIP

my codolences to the family and to the beltsville volunteer fire department
he will be missed greatly

I was sorry to here of the tragic loss of Rich Findley. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, fellow police officers and fire fighters. He asked me one day about becoming a cop and I told him those were big shoes to fill. He grew to fill those shoes and more. Now he stands with his fallen comrads in arms.

You will be missed! Your smile, your pranks, your love of life.

Kelly,
I am so sorry for your loss! I know it was not enough time to enjoy all he could give but I know you treasure the time you had together. We are all better for knowing him, he was such a special person. We give you all of our love and support!

May God Bless.

May God be with you and your daughters during this very hard time. He was loved and will be missed dearly but will not ever be forgotten. You and your daughters will be in our prayers everyday.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to both Officer Findley's family at home and his extended public safety family. From what I've read on the internet, Rich seemed to be well liked and respected by his peers and loved his job. Again, our condolences.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Cpl. Richard Findley, the Officers and Members of the Beltsville VFD and to the men and women of the Prince George's County Police Department.

R.I.P. Cpl. Findley

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of Captain Richard Finley. We did not know Cap. Finley personally but I know I have seem him several times. Our hearts goes out to his family. He will be an angel looking over his wife and two little girls. May god give them the strenght at this sad time.

RIP brother.

My wife and I extend our condolences to the family of Richard Findley. I had met him over the years both as a volunteer fireman responding to calls in our community and as a member of District VI CAC. Though our loss pales beside that of his family and friends, our community realizes we have lost someone who has stood over us as a guardian for twenty years.

At the funeral home yesterday, I was moved by the response of police and fire personnel to the loss of a comrade. Their concern for the family of Cpl. Findley is an inspiration for us all.

May he rest in peace.

God needed a new Angel. He will always be with you. May you and your family be safe. God Bless

I am terribly sorry for the loss of Life Member Cpl. Richard S. Finley. While I did not know Cpl. Finley personally, he sounds like an exemplary person. My thoughts go out to his wife and children. Please let me know if any memorial funds have been set up in his name.

Sincerely,

FF2 C. Everett, HVFD.