Local News

‘Like a superhero’: Veteran K-9 officer mourned by two Mass. police departments

Officer Richard “Rich” Reddick died in his home Sunday after serving over 23 years with the Southbridge and Charlton police departments.

January 15, 2025

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Police officer and K-9 handler Richard “Rich” Reddick died in his home Sunday after serving more than 23 years with the Southbridge and Charlton police departments.

Reddick, 49, began his career at the Southbridge Police Department as an auxiliary police officer and was promoted to a full-time officer in 2002, according to a statement from the Southbridge Police Department.

“Rich will be missed by his friends and colleagues and anyone who ever had the privilege of working with him,” said Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson in the statement, adding that Reddick was a “‘cop’s cop,’ which is a compliment in our profession.”

In 2004, Reddick began his work as a narcotics K-9 handler with his first partner, Chase, and served the community for several years before Chase retired from service. He and his second K-9, Mika, completed training in 2007 and worked together for eight years before Mika retired in 2015. Reddick and his third and last K-9, Pablo, worked together from late 2015 to March 4, 2023, when Reddick transferred to the Charlton Police Department, the Southbridge statement said.

“He loved everything about having a K9 partner,” said the Charlton Police Department in a statement.

Chase, Mika, and Pablo “too were truly blessed with having Rich as their partner,” the department added. “No one could have loved them more than Rich did. His pursuit of making himself and his K9 partners better was relentless.”

Reddick worked at the Charlton Police Department for two years and “did not miss a beat.”

He “loved working in the Town of Charlton and was greatly appreciative of the welcoming community here,” the department said.

Charlton police described Reddick as “larger than life” and “among the most knowledgeable, seasoned, compassionate and level-headed officers no matter the situation.”

He is said to have lifted more weights than anyone else on the team and, like Forrest Gump, he did not stop running until it was time to stop, according to the statement.

“Rich was like a superhero,” Charlton police said.

“He could strike fear in the most hardened of criminals and awe in the eyes of children as the gentlest of giants … There were few that would test him physically and those who did quickly realized the immovable force that he was,” the department added.

Reddick is survived by his wife, Brandi; his son, Valentine; his stepchildren; and his brother, Robbie. There will be visitation Jan. 20 at the Sansoucy Funeral Home and burial Jan. 21 at the Notre Dame Church – both in Southbridge, according to Reddick’s obituary.

“[Reddick’s] impact will be felt at our department for years to come and he will forever be missed,” Woodson said in the Southbridge statement.

Woodson said Reddick volunteered many hours to visit local schools with his K9s to introduce the working dogs to children.

The Charlton Police Department added that no one could “wipe the smile off his face when he and his K9 partner were surrounded by children.”

“We will move forward and we will keep pushing, honoring his memory and his service,” Charlton police said. “We will never forget our partner, our friend, the memories we shared and the lessons we learned together.”