I just got notified that a Deputy I worked with back in the 90s passed away.
He lived a life of service that would be hard to match. Some of you may have known him or crossed paths with him in Houston or Georgetown:
Richard Warren Zipp
1949-2018
Richard Warren Zipp, born July 18, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida, served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968–1972 receiving a Purple Heart for combat action in Vietnam. Richard was selected to play TAPS for a burial at sea aboard the USS Guam, and instantly received a meritorious promotion to Sergeant by Rear Admiral of the Sixth Fleet. He then graduated from the International Chief of Police Academy at Camp Lejeune, NC.
After military service, Richard joined the Houston Police Department and was often referred to as "Officer Friendly". He was a member of the HPD Honor Guard, regularly playing TAPS for fallen officers across Texas. He carried the Texas flag, leading police officers down Pennsylvania Avenue at the 1989 Presidential Inauguration of President George Bush Sr. Richard trained with the Old Guard in Washington, DC and carried flags during several National Memorial Police Week services and for hundreds of parades in Texas. He retired from HPD in 1993.
Richard also served as Director of Security for Houston's "Theatre Under The Stars" from 1983-2003, protecting actors, celebrities, and even escorting President & Mrs. George Bush Sr.
In 1993, Richard joined the Harris County Sheriff's Department serving as Bailiff in Judge Mike Anderson's court as well as Judge Ted Poe's court. He retired in 2003, and moved to Georgetown, TX where he joined the Williamson County Sherriff's Department as Sergeant over Safety and Security in the courthouse. In 2006, Officer Zipp culminated a distinguished career of 35 years in law enforcement service to his communities and to his country.
Richard attended University of Houston & North Harris County College, 1977-1981, receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement. He was past VFW Post Commander for Post 6010; Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8587, Georgetown, TX; Endowed member of Masonic Lodge Cade-Rothwell #1151; Endowed member of Scottish Rite Valley of Houston - Houston Arabian Temple; and Chartered Member, Past President & State Trustee of Williamson County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88, Georgetown, TX.
Richard was an active member of Georgetown Church of Christ. Richard made regular visits to seniors in the hospital & nursing homes, and had a great love for Cherokee Home for Children and the great works they do there.
Richard loved to play golf, enjoyed scuba diving, and traveling the world with his wife, Nelda. He belonged to the Sun City Booster Club, Woodworkers Club, Computer Club, & Men's Golf Association.
Survivors include his wife, Nelda McQuary Zipp; daughter, Marian Martin & husband Howard; grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, & Madison Bueno, and John & Brenna Martin all of Austin, TX; niece, DeAnn Wilson & husband Terry of Sudan, TX; their children, Kenzie Green & Landon Wilson & families of Muleshoe & Littlefield, TX; three brothers in Houston: George, Mike, and Bob Zipp; cousin, Gary Rogers of Hoosick Falls, NY; and close friend, C.H. Harvey of LaGrange, TX.
No words can explain how "Officer Friendly" will be missed by a vast number of police officers, church members, friends & family whose lives he touched. His family is not saying "Goodbye" but "Until We Meet Again."
A celebration of Richard's life was held at the Georgetown Church of Christ, 1525 W. University Ave. on Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest any memorials be made to Cherokee Home for Children, P. O. Box 295, Cherokee, Texas 76832.
He lived a life of service that would be hard to match. Some of you may have known him or crossed paths with him in Houston or Georgetown:
Richard Warren Zipp
1949-2018
Richard Warren Zipp, born July 18, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida, served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968–1972 receiving a Purple Heart for combat action in Vietnam. Richard was selected to play TAPS for a burial at sea aboard the USS Guam, and instantly received a meritorious promotion to Sergeant by Rear Admiral of the Sixth Fleet. He then graduated from the International Chief of Police Academy at Camp Lejeune, NC.
After military service, Richard joined the Houston Police Department and was often referred to as "Officer Friendly". He was a member of the HPD Honor Guard, regularly playing TAPS for fallen officers across Texas. He carried the Texas flag, leading police officers down Pennsylvania Avenue at the 1989 Presidential Inauguration of President George Bush Sr. Richard trained with the Old Guard in Washington, DC and carried flags during several National Memorial Police Week services and for hundreds of parades in Texas. He retired from HPD in 1993.
Richard also served as Director of Security for Houston's "Theatre Under The Stars" from 1983-2003, protecting actors, celebrities, and even escorting President & Mrs. George Bush Sr.
In 1993, Richard joined the Harris County Sheriff's Department serving as Bailiff in Judge Mike Anderson's court as well as Judge Ted Poe's court. He retired in 2003, and moved to Georgetown, TX where he joined the Williamson County Sherriff's Department as Sergeant over Safety and Security in the courthouse. In 2006, Officer Zipp culminated a distinguished career of 35 years in law enforcement service to his communities and to his country.
Richard attended University of Houston & North Harris County College, 1977-1981, receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement. He was past VFW Post Commander for Post 6010; Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8587, Georgetown, TX; Endowed member of Masonic Lodge Cade-Rothwell #1151; Endowed member of Scottish Rite Valley of Houston - Houston Arabian Temple; and Chartered Member, Past President & State Trustee of Williamson County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88, Georgetown, TX.
Richard was an active member of Georgetown Church of Christ. Richard made regular visits to seniors in the hospital & nursing homes, and had a great love for Cherokee Home for Children and the great works they do there.
Richard loved to play golf, enjoyed scuba diving, and traveling the world with his wife, Nelda. He belonged to the Sun City Booster Club, Woodworkers Club, Computer Club, & Men's Golf Association.
Survivors include his wife, Nelda McQuary Zipp; daughter, Marian Martin & husband Howard; grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, & Madison Bueno, and John & Brenna Martin all of Austin, TX; niece, DeAnn Wilson & husband Terry of Sudan, TX; their children, Kenzie Green & Landon Wilson & families of Muleshoe & Littlefield, TX; three brothers in Houston: George, Mike, and Bob Zipp; cousin, Gary Rogers of Hoosick Falls, NY; and close friend, C.H. Harvey of LaGrange, TX.
No words can explain how "Officer Friendly" will be missed by a vast number of police officers, church members, friends & family whose lives he touched. His family is not saying "Goodbye" but "Until We Meet Again."
A celebration of Richard's life was held at the Georgetown Church of Christ, 1525 W. University Ave. on Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest any memorials be made to Cherokee Home for Children, P. O. Box 295, Cherokee, Texas 76832.
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