Richard George Paul

Richard (Richie) George Paul, 82, of Venice, FL passed away peacefully on June 21, 2021 after being placed into Hospice Care in Venice Hospital for only 2 short days. He was able to see his family and meet his new 10-month old granddaughter before passing. 

He was born in the Bronx, NY to Marguerite and Walter Paul. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara, and his 2 children, Marlene (Rob) Buda, and Christopher (Nida) Paul, three granddaughters, Taylor, Bailey, and Makenzie and two great granddaughters, Henley and Sawyer. Also surviving  is a brother Albert Paul. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Richie enlisted in the Marine Corps on May  17, 1956 (his 17th birthday) and rose to the rank of Sergeant (E-4) before leaving the Corps after serving 3-years. He was assigned to the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) that flew President Eisenhower. 

Richie’s first love was flying and he flew whenever he could after attaining his private license and then continued on to obtain his commercial, multi-engine and instrument ratings.

With a strong desire to serve, Richie eventually joined the NYPD in 1964 and had a long and exciting career where he was eventually promoted to Detective 2nd grade.  Eventually he was assigned to the prestigious 8th Homicide Squad which was notorious for seeing lots of action. One of the most famous cases that he was assigned to was The Son Of Sam murders back in 1976.  The very first homicide committed by David Berkowitz was assigned to him. He worked on that case until the end. Richie received 17 awards and commendations during his time on the force and a Certificate of Appreciation from the mayor of New York, Abraham Beam, for his contributions to the Son Of Sam case.   While working on the police force he continued his education by going to school on his time off and graduated from The New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Cum Laude degree in June 1979.

 

While still on the police force, Richie and a few of his partners formed a security company called International Executive Protection Services that handled top-level business clients which afforded him extensive travel throughout the U.S. and Europe.  

While living in CT, Richie belonged to the Saugatuck Yacht Club where he enjoyed boating with his family and friends on Long Island Sound. Once he moved to FL in his retirement, he joined Jacaranda West CC.  There, he enjoyed the game of golf with friends while making wonderful new friendships and embracing a new lifestyle, one that he thoroughly enjoyed before leaving us all too soon.  

A memorial service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery August 23, 2021, 11:00 am.