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Cpl. Ron Richter
November 10, 1947 – September 29, 2022
Ron Richter
Ron Richter (1947-2022)

Cpl. Ron Richter


November 10, 1947 – September 29, 2022


Retired Corporal Ron Richter, 74, of Ceres passed away peacefully and into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 29, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends.

Ron was born on Nov. 10, 1947, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Marvin O. Richter and Patricia J. Snider. He grew up and attended schools in Patterson and graduated with the Class of 1966.

Ron’s law enforcement experience began as an MP (Military Police) for four years, with the USAF. He was stationed in Dover, Delaware, spent three months in Vietnam, and the remainder of his time in Alaska until his honorable discharge.

In 1971, he became a deputy with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and served there for less than four years. He heard about an open position as a Ceres police officer and in 1979, he joined the Ceres Police Department, where he served the community for over 25 years. Richter worked under police chiefs Roy Cunningham, Pete Peterson and Art de Werk.

He always appreciated working in Ceres saying, “It’s a great community where the people are very supportive and step up to help when needed.”

One of the highlights of Richter’s career was starting up the annual Ceres Halloween Safety Fun Festival in 1981. He later won local, state, and national awards with his concept of a crime prevention trailer. Awards he received included a Safety Achievement Award from the Stanislaus Safety Council in 1981, for his bicycle rodeo program; the 1983 California Crime Prevention Officers Association award for outstanding crime prevention (one of three officers that year); the 1984 Ceres Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year”; and the 1986 “Outstanding Young Men of America” Award, in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability, and exceptional service to the community.

He retired in 2006, and continued to enjoy the loves of his life: spending time with a group of very close friends, traveling, hunting, fishing, and attending an annual Mountain Madness event, in Rachel, Nev.

Ron would do anything for family and friends for they meant the world to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and is survived by a sister, Janet Barcellos (Dan) of Modesto; nephew, Christopher Barcellos of San Jose; and niece Jennifer Barcellos of Sacramento.

A memorial service and burial will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemeter, 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella.

Family and friends are also invited to attend a casual luncheon to share food, fond memories, and stories, at Pea Soup Anderson’s, at 12 noon, 12411 CA-33, Santa Nella, CA 95322, following the services.

In lieu of flowers, Ron would love it if you would make a donation to the Howard Stevenson Memorial Grove or to a wildlife or a veteran’s organization of your choice.


–Ceres (Calif.) Courier

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022