Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was his best friend at Maple School in 1960. He told Daleen Erickson he loved her and I was shocked because I never heard anybody say that to a girl. What a tragic loss. I remember Ricky. Farewell buddy

Randy
friend

October 5, 2025

Heavenly Father, You are Compassionate and Merciful. None of America’s Peace Officers leave home without the fear of not returning at the end of their watch. It is a fear that is lived daily. Unfortunately, the worst does sometimes come to pass, and lives are left shattered. Lord God, bless and keep the hearts and souls of those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Wipe away the tears from their eyes. Soothe their pain and bind up their emotional wounds through the wounds of Your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In His name, and by His authority, I pray. Amen.

Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from the Law Enforcement Officer's Christian Standard Bible:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 CSB];

"Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 CSB];

"No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 CSB];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 CSB], and;

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:43 CSB].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

June 22, 2025

I visited the Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia this Veterans Day 2020 with a lot on my mind given the changing fortunes of time. My Father was Law enforcement in Bellevue Wa. , and passed in 2005 of Cancer. I have driven by the Memorial for Deputy Richard Herzog many times on Coal Creek Parkway in Bellevue because I have property in the area. As a kid, I use to roam the pastures that are now Apartments and townhomes dreaming, discovering and imagining. Never considering such a vehemently grotesque tragedy could and would take place steps from my childhood utopia. I have always had difficulty reconciling the Deputies last moments, with a naked man standing over him, as the community watched, he was executed. The trauma of his thoughts as each of ten shells entered his body is inconceivable. I pray that at some point he found a conduit to that that he perceived to be Devine, and deservingly left this earth with the dignity that he had earned.
Rest In Peace Deputy Herzog, as an anonymous neighbor graciously acknowledges the ultimate sacrifice born by both you and your Family.
THANKYOU

Charles Fredrickson
Neighbor

May 30, 2022

I remember this day and was just thinking about this Deputy out of no where today, one of the most craziest days of my life watching this unfold in front of my eyes, bless his family!

Brandon Haynes
neighborhood Citizen

August 26, 2021

I was there when this happened. That was a sad day indeed, that day still weighs heavy in my heart. As I reflect on this still so many years ago, I still Wish I could have done more.

Tam Port
Burbank fire dept.

March 20, 2021

I grew up in that neighborhood. I distinctly remember being home from college when this happened. This man is still a hero to me today.

First Officer Martin

August 27, 2020

I knew Rich. He was very involved with the community. May he RIP and his family be comforted as they get on with their lives.

Steve Tivel
Former Associate - King County Sherifrf's Office

May 20, 2019

Thank you for your service to the families of Newcastle and beyond. RIP

Sharon L

May 17, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Herzog. A cowardly action took a hero's life!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2019

His daughters are doing well and are both happily married and have careers going. I keep in touch with the family and they are not broken, but strong and carrying on as Rich would have wanted them to.

Deputy
King County Sheriff's Office

August 27, 2017

As a citizen of Newcastle, I attended the memorial in the parking.ot of old City Hall and walked with the fmily to the area of Coal Creek where our Policeman lost his life. Many of us laid flowers at thespot. I have wonderd since how the family has done and if the girls were able to attend college. I participated in a collection of funds. I also wonderd if Newcastle and Bellevue exchanged informatin anybetter so that our officers would know and be prepard for convicted felons out of jail who happen to reside in the apartments in Newcastle with rap sheets three pages long.

Rebecca Strand
Citizen of Newcastle

July 1, 2017

Never forgotten! Even though I never met you I can tell you have touched so many lives and will meet you in Valhalla dad!

Mitchal Sena-Cary
My Dad

June 23, 2017

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little - but not for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.

For this journey that we all must take
And each must go alone;
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.

I think of you often Rich. I miss your smiling voice on the other end of the radio but I will let you go....

Kathy Pompeo, Ops Manager KCSO Comm Ctr

June 22, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 3, 2016

I was Richards Mortar platoon squad leader in Wiesbaden Germany. He was a close family friend, that came to our house in Germany many times. He was one of the most dedicated and smart soldiers I ever new. He would do whatever it took to complete the mission. I still have a afghan he gave us that his Grandmother made. I had lost track of him until today. My family is devastated. I salute you my Friend. and pray for your family. Ron,Sue, Doug,and Patrick

Sgt Ronald Fisk
2/22 inf US Army

September 6, 2015

Miss you Rich

Tim McClung
KCSO

June 23, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 22, 2015

It's almost the end of 2014. We've been hearing, all over the news, about police and the communities they serve. There are all kinds of complaints you can realistically make about LEOs.
But ... and it's a big one ... they put on the badge and go to work, not knowing if they'll be going home when the shift is over.
Every time the news comes on lately, three names go through my thoughts, Hicks, Rayburn, and Herzog. Taken, not by accident, but by intent.
Hicks, Rayburn, Herzog.

Jim Bowman
Ret. from the comm center

December 30, 2014

I worked for a local towing co. and we had a contract for towing KCSO disabled vehicles around the time of Rich Herzogs murder. That old Jeep broke down 2 times if I remember right within a couple of months and Rich was fit to be tied when I went and picked him up both times. The third time I got the call a couple weeks later I thought he is really gonna be hot now cause he wanted to be out on the streets doing what he did and that old Jeep just kept doing what it did. When I got to Aukeen Court parking lot and saw the front end smashed in I thought what the hell? He pit maneuvered a guy who ran from the courtroom and got in a vehicle when they went to put him in custody in court. I will never forget that and we had some good conversation about the Army during our rides back to the county shops to get him a replacement vehicle. You are missed Rich. Thanks to a former WSP officer that directed me to this site.

Former US ARMY SGT Kirk Gentry

November 26, 2014

I didn't know Deputy Herzog, but I vividly recall the day in question. I was driving my mother and my high school girlfriend home after seeing a theatre performance, and we were approaching the intersection in Newcastle right when this incident took place. Up ahead, we saw the bus stopped and awkwardly blocking the road. There were a couple of vehicles ahead of us in the left turn lane - the first made a quick u-turn, shouted something into the window of the guy behind him, who promptly made a U-Turn as well. They both looked frantic. Terrified. But I didn't put it together.

I made a quick left and bypassed the entire section of Coal Creek on a distant side road. And as I continued on Coal Creek, I was shocked to see other King County Sheriff's deputies rushing to the scene in the oncoming lanes at serious speeds. And that's when it clicked for me. Even as a teenager, I knew something had gone seriously wrong at that intersection.

This was a horrible thing. But what I never forget is just how many people were around this intersection that Deputy Herzog died trying to protect. Whether we're talking about the passengers on the bus, the drivers in the stopped vehicles, the children at the nearby school, or a pair of completely unwitting high schoolers stopped in a car nearby, he was looking out for all of us whether we knew it or not.

I'll never know if we were actually in danger on that day, but I'll always be greatful to Deputy Herzog for looking out for us nonetheless.

Glenn B.
Civilian

October 14, 2013

The loss of a great officer and a great man is never far from our thoughts. Thank you Deputy Herzog for your service and your sacrifice.

Robyn Riley

June 22, 2013

It is so hard to believe that 10 years has passed. We remember that day like it was yesterday.

We think about and talk about you often. You will never be forgotten.

Linda Nix

June 22, 2012

It doesn't seem like 10 years have passed. Rich, you are sorely missed around here. Keep watching over us.

Chris S.
King County Sheriff's Office

June 22, 2012

I knew MSG Herzog when I was a young buck just arriving into 2/1 SFG(A), and will always fondly remember his sense of humor, and his selfless dedication to doing "the right thing" everytime, all the time, regardless of the circumstances. He lives on in everyone of us whom he taught, lead, and mentored over his remarkable life. I am thankful for the short time that our paths crossed, and for the lessons he helped instill in myself and others. R.I.P. Zog.

SGT Jason Vallee
2/1 SFG (A)

May 30, 2012

It's been almost 10 years since you were taken from us. Time does not heal all wounds my friend. Rest in peace.

Sgt. Bill Bonar (Ret.)
King County Sheriff's Office

April 13, 2012