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Mattos Mail Bag!
Hello all,From retired Sgt. Ken Leong: Rich passed away peacefully last night. The family will have a memorial service, date to be determined.
Thank you, |
Jim Suits provided:Young Rich in front of Roy’s Coffee in Japantown – Cop at coffee shop – Natural environment for a substation.
May Rich rest in peace and be forever remembered for his tireless contributions to our Department, his community, state and society as a whole. A role model for life well and honorably lived.
A great Man, Cop and Friend taken from us way too early.
We were blessed to have spent our careers at the SJPD with so many great people, like Rich.
I can not think of a better place or a group of professionals to have spent my 31+ years with than the SJPD.
Rest in Peace, Richard Saito, you will be missed, but never forgotten.
Rich was a good man and a great police officer. May he reside in the heavens for eternity.
Prayers for his soul and condolences to his family. Rich was one of those guys who worked tirelessly to ensure we all had what we needed to do our jobs. Rich was also loved by the community he served. Anywhere I went, people ALWAYS asked about Rich. He always treated me fairly and I learned a lot from him. Decent, hard-working, honest, kind, fair, and dedicated are just some of the many attributes that this man was made of. I enjoyed reading his Facebook posts and always kept in touch with him and enjoyed seeing him at many Dept and Community events. He will be greatly missed and one never to be forgotten. Rest in peace Boss!
One of my Academy TAC officers. There could have been no better example for the 60+ of us who were embarking on our lives of service to the community.
Rich was one of the truly good guys. Kind, caring and genuine. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it. His heart for the athletes of the Special Olympics and his commitment to the Law Enforcement Torch Run will always be remembered. RIP Rich
Richard Saito, always upbeat and positive. He most enjoyed training and was very thorough at whatever he did.My last contact with Rich was at Bill Erfurth’s memorial service at the P.O.A. where we enjoyed a nice visit over lunch. He will certainly be missed. We think, we have more time than we do.
Rich Saito was a great person and boss. Always cared about his people and about the SJPD. He will be missed. RIP Rich.
Rich was the consummate professional, a great teacher, and a good friend. Very sorry to hear of his passing. Another great member of the SJPD family gone too soon. RIP, my friend.
Godspeed Rich Saito, blessed peacemaker, lifted from this world, your light eternal…
From a friend and colleague
I remember Rich well since back in our large Academy Class in early 1977. Rich was intelligent, kind and caring from our first meeting until our goodbye handshake upon my retiring.
If there is, in fact, a life
review upon passing Rich will be most proud of his time on Earth.
God Bless my Brother
I was privileged to know Rich for the last decade when I became involved with the CERT community. I’ve told this story many times – Rich was one of those rare folks, who when you met him for the first time, you felt as though you had been friends forever. Rich was always more interested in hearing about YOU than saying anything about himself or his own accomplishments. His contributions to the community are immeasurable and the entire city of San Jose owes a debt of gratitude to Rich for his lifetime of service to the community. “May his memory be a blessing”.
My heart broke when I heard of Rich’s passing. My condolences and prayers for his family, loved ones and countless friends. Just 66 badge numbers behind mine. Quick with that smile, wholesome handshake and friendly chit chat. Great cop, better man. Always reassuring to have him standing next to me on calls/car stops. He was a serious man but always on the look out for the humorous side of life. He had a great heart and wonderful soul. I’m blessed to have known Rich. God Bless and Rest in Peace Brother