AFSCMELocal 419

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department

Marquis Barker... May he rest in peace

Sgt. Ricky Dever

Click here to sign a guestbook for Ricky

    Boston suffered a chink in its armor after the senseless slaying of Suffolk County Sergeant Richard Dever.  An immensely popular man, Ricky’s tragic loss is surely reverberating around metropolitan Boston in all circles of life.   Ricky was a picture perfect Boston guy—the pride of Dorchester.  He possessed all the ingredients of a winner: a devoted family man, an undeniable lady’s man and the consummate man’s man.  His affable manner, cool gait and Hollywood smile were all part of the Ricky Dever package.  He seemed ageless, full of so much vitality you’d think he’d always be around to offer a helping hand or just provide a laugh. 

            Words such as exemplary and gregarious have recently been used to characterize Ricky Dever.  They are true—but in truth—the list of adjectives and accolades are endless.  Ricky had an intangible quality—an air—that few people have.   It’s called presence.  

            On the night of March 18, 2005, two worlds collided.  In Ricky there was loyalty, virtue, righteousness, and courage.  In the other corner were despair, addiction, and evil.  His slayer was, in effect, the anti-Ricky.  His heinous actions robbed Ricky of life.  What the slayer doesn’t know, however, is that he can’t steal the fresh breath of life that Ricky instilled in everyone he touched.  That, along with his memories, is priceless.  Ricky Dever was a man of honor, and Boston should know.

Sincerely,

 Thomas Donahue

Deputy Sheriff, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department

Boston, MA

A Tribute to Rick Dever

On March 18, 2005, when I heard the shocking news of Rick Dever's death, I cried.  I cried for Rick's family and all of his close friends.  There is a small hole in my heart as well as all of my brothers and sisters at Local 419 who knew and worked with Rick.  The news of how Rick died as a hero doesn't surprise me at all.  If there was a problem at South Bay and his fellow officers needed help, Rick was always there.  That was just the kind of person he was.  Nobody, and I mean nobody, ever had a bad thing to say about Rick, and why would they.  He was just a likable guy.  To the senseless, scumbag coward that committed this horrific crime on our friend, may you rot in hell!  Your one despicable act against my friend should get you a one way ticket to hell.  God obviously had a plan for Rick that we didn't know about.  I know one person who will be happy when he rings the bell at Heaven's Gate.  Rick is in a better place now.  They say time heals all wounds.  Unfortunately for us, Rick's tragic passing will take a long time to heal.  I'll miss talking football with you in the fall, Rick.  God Bless you. 

Your friend,
Mike Gannon
 

     I am truly sadend and angered to hear of your and my brothers senseless death. This is one of the many reasons why the job is a very dangerous and thankless job that Ricky and his brothers do on a daily basis, in uniform or street cloths. ON A DAILY BASIS!!! We sometimes ourselves get complacent and routine and lose sight of how important a role Ricky and the brothers play in society and law enforcement you play. Your job is never done and I personally thank you for putting on the uniform and do a job nobody else would even think of doing or imagine what it is like. I personally knew Ricky and loved him as a brother and what he was all about. See Rick was the exact opposite of the heartless coward the robed you, his family, and his friends. The COWARD also robed other people of his friendship that he has not met yet. The world is truly a lot lighter without him. I have worked and spent little time with Rick and he is a mans man, and a ladies man. He walked softly and carried a huge stick. Never problem causer buy a solver. A heart of a lion but could walk on rice paper. We have many experiences in life, because that's all we do is experience it. Rick is one of those experiences I will never forget and cherish the thought that I had the opportunity to know him. He never looked down on me and kept me eye to eye. Some of us wonder from time to time who is friend and who is foe, Rick never had to wonder, he didn't have to. My condolences to the mighty 419, to his family my prayers and my heart, and to his friends. It is a loss even to me.                                                         

Your Friend,

Thomas Call

Correction Officer Robert D. Coughlin
March 20, 1958 - August 19, 2003

Farewell to Bobby Coughlin

            The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and Local 419 are mourning the recent loss of 20 year veteran officer Robert “Bobby” Coughlin.  Bobby was involved in a single car accident in Pembroke after completing his 3—11 shift at South Bay on Monday, August 18, 2003.  He was 45 years old.  Bobby is survived by his loving wife Eileen (McCarthy), son Finn, 11, daughter Rose, 10, father Robert, sisters Ann and Irene, brother-in-law and South Bay officer Richard McCarthy, dozens of extended family members and hundreds of friends. 

            Over one thousand mourners attended the wake service on Friday, August 22 at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanover.  The Suffolk County Honor Guard was in attendance for all wake and burial proceedings, representing the SCSD in full dress uniform.  On Saturday morning, August 23, over two hundred-fifty officers, dressed in class A uniforms with hats and white gloves, gathered to participate in Officer Coughlin’s funeral.  Officers assembled in ranks and marched in cadence to and from Sullivan Funeral Home for a final walk-by of our fallen brother. 

            Officers then joined family and friends by marching single file into St. Joseph’s Church in Hanson for the funeral mass, celebrated by Father John Hannon.  No seat was empty.  An emotional and fitting eulogy was given by brother-in-law Denis McCarthy.  Denis spoke eloquently of Bobby’s love of Eileen, Finn, Rose, his father Robert and sisters Ann and Irene.  He described Bobby’s signature mannerisms and wit in a way that all who knew Bobby could truly relate.  Laughter found its way to the packed house when Denis described Bobby’s affinity for “Dorchester Martinis” and “Dorchester Shrimp.”  Bobby Coughlin lived in Pembroke, yes, but all knew he was OFD—Originally From Dorchester.

            Bobby was laid to rest at Duxbury Cemetery.  As family and friends gathered around the casket, officers from Suffolk County and other law enforcement agencies stood at attention on the supporting hills.  State Police Sgt. Dan Clark sang a beautiful rendition of “Danny Boy” as a tribute to Bobby.  Suffolk County Sgt. Chris Fay was equally impressive with his follow-up performance on the bagpipes.  Father Hannon’s final prayer was complemented by a sudden burst of wind that ripped through the crowd.  All felt its power.  The American flag draping the casket was folded by the Honor Guard, given to Sheriff Cabral, and then presented to Eileen Coughlin.  In the most memorable and touching moment of the services, Bobby’s unconditional love for his children was returned as young Rose gave him a final hug, and Finn gave his dad a final salute. 

            The enormous send-off Bobby Coughlin received was merely a reflection of how he was valued in life.  As a correction officer, he garnered the respect of all.  Bobby began his career with the Boston Penal Department at age 25 at the Deer Island House of Correction in Winthrop—The Rock.  He worked the west wing on the hill prison, known infamously as the Wild Wild West.  At Deer Island he learned the tricks of the trade, the nuances of a job no one ever seems to understand.  Bobby did it with pride.  In 1991 Bobby was one of many veteran officers who made an easy transition to South Bay.  He maintained his under-the-radar profile while making new friends in the Sheriff’s Department.  He always helped the “newjacks.”  Bobby’s practical approach to corrections was to be firm but fair.  He was a role model correction officer, yet he didn’t even know it.  Like most correction officers, Bobby was a creature of habit.  The officers in central control were so accustomed to Bobby’s late-night phone calls to Operations: “Has the captain left yet?”  Bobby was a corrections classic. 

            Bobby’s personal life was dearest to him.  He cherished his house, his yard work, his friends, and most of all, his family.  His life was cut short but he lived life to the fullest.  It was always apparent to family and friends that inside his 6’6’’ body was an oversized heart.  Bobby conducted himself like a man on the job and in life, never complaining about bad breaks or shortcomings.  He was a tall man in stature, a big man in spirit, and a complete man in life.  His grin, witticisms, and large presence will be missed.  We must now embrace the spoiled luxuries of our memories.  We called him Bobby; we called him Coughdrops; we called him Woof ‘em; and we called him our brother, our friend.  He will always be in our hearts.  Bobby’s greatest gift to his Finn and Rose was his love, and they will always have his loving Irish eyes smiling over them.

 Fraternally,

Phil D'Entremont

Our Passing Brother;
        We never expected to hear the news, the day that you had left. It seems as though the shift stood still when we heard about your death. You left in such a speedy way and why we will never know. God must of had a plan for you and therefore you must go. So, now, we must say goodbye, to a person we once new. That person a brother, a brother in blue.

God be with you Phil.

C.O. Robert Call

Correction Officer Steven Ficarra