It is difficult to understand why things like this happen and even more difficult to find the right words to convey our feelings. To Rich's family, to his brothers and sisters at the Beltsville VFD, and to his co-workers in the Prince Geroge's County Police Department -- Please accept my deepest sympathies and understanding. Know that we all share in your loss. Be strong and God bless.

Our heartfelt thoughts and support are here for you, the girls and your family.
No words can express or heal the loss you and the girls have experience but we sincerely hope that you know we are here for you all.

I grew up with Richard and his family on Dunnington Road, so many memories of flashlight tag, kickball in the street, marbles on the sewers and skateboarding down the hill. I could go on and on. My heart goes out to Rich's family, all of you! Such a great loss, I am thankful for all my memories. You will be missed.

Joanna Casson

Chief Schwartz and the family of the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department,

As a Police Officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a Captain/Firefighter for the Pitt Meadows Volunteer Fire Department in British Columbia, Canada. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife Kelly, his 2 daughters and the extended FD Family on the tragic loss of Lieutenant/Firefighter Richard Findley.

The loss of a brother firefighter is always hard and difficult to accept. This one is especially difficult for me as the more I'm reading on FF Findley the more I realized that although we are in 2 different countries and miles apart, our paths are similar. Although I never met him, the story and the pictures touched me and I was compelled to send you this e-mail.

My prayers are with you and God bless.

Stephan Drolet

Our hearts broke when we learned of your passing. The bonds between the fire dept. and police dept and Co. 10 and Co. 31 are strong. We wonder why such horrible things happen to good people, especially a quality family man. Rich, I'll blast the siren extra loud in your honor this weekend. Dave

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and members of the BVFD.

To the family of Cpl./FF Findley,

I offer my sympathies and support through this trying time. Your loss is this county's loss and the loss of every firefighter and police officer here. I certainly believe; however, that he is heaven's gain, and will always remain a legacy and lesson in life for all of us.

God Bless You and Your Family, and all of Company 31.

FF Patrick McGroarty, GVFD Engine Co. 35

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong Brothers.

From the entire Blankenship Family our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. If you ever need anything from Laurel FD or the Blankenship family please do not hesitate to contact us. That is what family is for. God Bless each and everyone of you.

I don't think I ever had a chance to meet you while I was an active member of Laurel VFD #10, from 1982-1997. I spoke to several PGPD Officer's I still keep in contact with, and everyone has nothing but GREAT THINGS to say about you.
You will be missed. My god bless your family and co-workers. Rest in peace now, let the rest of of take the patrol over down here.

To all of the Officers and Members of Beltsville and also to the Family and Friends and fellow officers of Corporal Richard Findley, we would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to you all. The loss of an officer and volunteer firefighter is felt by all of us, and he will be sadly missed. God Speed.

To all of the members of the Beltsville VFD our prayers are with you as you prepare for the next few days and many more to come. To the family, what a wonderful father, husband and leader of this country. Our prayers will be with you. May your sorror soon turn to happy memories of your wonderful life together. We pray for God's love to embrase you and hold you close to him. Thank you for sharing him with all of us over the many years of volunteering.

To the Findley family and all the brother and sisters @ 31, my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. RIP Rich, you will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Finley family. Rich and I grew up together in Calverton from about the age of 7. I remember a few years ago we saw each other for the first time since high school and I remember telling him how proud I was of him because he had stayed in the neighbor hood we called home all of our lives to serve and protect it and I am sure everyone would agree he did this and did it well. I will miss you my friend and we will see each other again. RIP

Brother Findley, his family and Beltsville VFD is in the thoughts and prayers of the Susquehanna Hose Company, Havre de Grace, MD.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to brother Findleys family and friends. May god bless and keep you in this tough time of sorrow and bereavement. If we can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.

I didnot know Richard. I grew up in Beltsville. I have great feelings for the town and the people who are firemen there. My son Brian Walters was killed by a hit and run driver. I know the family's pain. You are in my prayers. Justice has prevailed in a funny way. No bad feeling here!!!!!
Linda Walters
Woodbine, Maryland

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of our fallen Brother.
R.I.P. Brother Findley.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Prince George's County has lost one of its finest. RIP Findley....

From your Sister Department in Stafford, VA our thoughts & prayers go out to the family of Brother Findley and to the Brothers & Sisters of the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department.

**RIP Brother Findley**

My thoughts and prayers to the family of CPL. Richard Findley and to my brothers and sisters of BVFD and PGPD on such a tragic Loss. REST IN PEACE!

I don't know you, I'm not a firefighter, not a police officer, just a citizen. Your family is in my prayers. I am so, so very sorry for your loss.

Rich, I love you and will never forget you. God bless you and we will meet again. Kelly, we are so so so sorry, and cant even begin to understand how you must be feeling right now. Call us anytime. hang in there and god bless you and the girls. we will see you soon. remember that we love you dearly. love jon and jenny. RIP brother, RIP.

My deepest sympathy goes out to Richard's family. I grew up with Richard in Calverton and remember all the fun times we had together. He was arguably the fastest kid in the neighborhood and always running around. When Calverton celebrated the 4th of July in 1976, they had residents of the community sign their names to a document and then sealed it in a capsule inside Calverton Elementary School - to be opened 25 years later. At the 2001 Calverton 4th of July Celebration, community leaders opened up the capsule and showed the document to those in attendance. It was obvious Richard was a Calverton resident in 1976 because his name stood out on the sheet due to it being signed so large (two to three times larger than anyone else's name on the page). I'm not too sure whether that was because of his age (being 7 like I was then) or because he was just being funny. Remembering Richard the way I do, I believe it was the latter. He was always doing something funny that put a smile on people's faces. Richard will be truly missed.

Our deepest sympathy to Kelly, Lauren, Nicole and your extended family for the loss of your Father, Friend, Husband and public servant. We did not know Rich well but know Kelly and the kids through Frederick Gymnastics. Our hearts are saddened with his passing and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Kelly you know that Frederick Gymnastics is a family, so please let us know what we can do help you through this.

Rich was an extraordinary person to be able to serve the public in both the Police and Firefighting fields, he will be missed greatly.

Our hearts break with yours as you bid goodbye to a devoted fireman and police officer. We have a son, daughter-in-law, and step-son that are police officers and a firefighter (Mike Connor of 31). Every time a police officer or fireman dies we hold our breath and wonder if it could be one of ours the next time. Thank you Richie for giving the wonderful years of service to those of us who count on you to keep us safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family as you struggle through this very sad and difficult time.

My deepest sympathy for your and our loss. Rich was a special guy. Not everyone can can give back to the community like Rich did. Its tough enough to be a policeman in these times, yet Rich was that and more. Being a police officer makes heavy demands on your time and being a father also makes heavy demands on your time. For Rich to do this AND be a volunteer firefighter is awesome. Rich always had my deepest respect for his devotion to his family, his community and his brother and sister firefighters and police officers. Rich... We'll miss you and our prayers are with your family and brother firefighters and police officers.

The Mendota, Illinois Fire Department offers our most sincere condolonces to your department on the loss of Firefighter Richard Finley. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.

It has been 18 years since I was a member of 31 but I still remember going through EMT school with Rich and I am sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, fellow fire fighters and police officers.