Monday, May 16, 2016
I have known Dick for more than 20 years. He was our "go-to" guy at the Lockport Police Department for all things related to radio communications. He kept our radio systems working over the years despite the best efforts of slippery fingered cops, budget cuts and our outdated technology. Many was the time where we would need a critical part for our radio system and Dick would disappear into his workshop and find the critical part or jury-rig a temporary fix and get us up and running - in many cases without charge! I remember Dick installing our communications tower at the police station and marveling how he would climb up that 100+ foot tower to work on our antennas while swaying in the wind!! It terrified me just to watch! It was comforting for all of us at the LPD to know that Dick cared as much as we did about the safety of the citizens of the City of Lockport and who was only a phone call away when we needed him. Dick is part of "the greatest generation" that derive their satisfaction from hard work and service. As I prepared our Police Department budget each year, I marveled at how little Dick charged the city for reimbursement for his services. I am confident if we reached out to some of the larger businesses that specialized in public safety communications, we would have been charged 10X more than Dicks fees for service. I will miss our conversations where he slowly....., patiently....., and at some length, attempted to explain complicated radio technology to me - most of the time unsuccessfully! These conversations would usually end with me being completely lost and telling him "Dick, just fix the damn thing!" Dick was a good man, a man of character and conviction, and a man of integrity. To the Ziehl family, please accept our condolences for the passing of Dick. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dick, I was proud to have known you and call you a friend. Thank you for your service to our community. You were a valuable member of the Lockport Police family and you will be missed!
Larry Eggert
Lockport PD (retired)
