HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-174RESOLUTION NO. 2009-174
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, REQUESTING SUPPORT OF THE
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LOCAL LEGISLATIVE
DELEGATION IN NAMING THAT PORTION OF
S.R. 60 BETWEEN 43RD AVENUE IN VERO
BEACH AND INTERSTATE 95 "THE RICHARD
RACZKOSKI MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".
WHEREAS, Richard Rudy Raczkoski, or "Raz" to those who knew him,
was born on October 30, 1956 in Tampa, Florida, to Rudolph and Marion Raczkoski.
Richard and his family moved to St. Lucie County in August or September of 1957, and
he lived there until July, 1981 when he moved to Indian River County; and
WHEREAS, Richard was hired by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office on
August 21, 1980, and served with that agency until July 25, 1981, working in the jail
facility and as an Auxiliary Patrol Deputy. He then was hired by the Vero Beach Police
Department on October 9, 1981 as a Patrol Officer and worked for that agency until
December 25, 1982. He was hired by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office on
January 8, 1983 as a Patrol Deputy and was sworn in by Sheriff R. T. Dobeck; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours on September 23, 1986, Deputy
Raczkoski was dispatched to a 911 hang-up call from a pay phone on the outside of a
Zippy Mart at S.R. 60 and 82nd Avenue. He responded and encountered a man outside
the closed store. During his field interview with the man, a handgun fell to the ground
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-174
from where it had been hidden in the man's clothing. After the ensuing struggle for
possession of the gun, Deputy Raczkoski was shot four times by the man who then fled
the scene. A later passerby found the mortally wounded deputy on the ground near his
patrol car and called the Sheriff's Office. Deputy Raczkoski was pronounced dead at
5:20 a.m. on September 23, 1986; and
WHEREAS, a suspect was developed and then arrested and charged in
the death of Deputy Raczkoski, and is incarcerated on Death Row in the Florida prison
system; and
WHEREAS, a funeral service was held on September 26, 1986 in Fort
Pierce, Florida at Saint Anastasia Church, and Deputy Raczkoski is entombed at the
Hillcrest Mausoleum on U.S. 1 in St. Lucie County. Richard was promoted
posthumously to Corporal; and
WHEREAS, in a ceremony held on May 23, 1987 by the International
Police Association, Deputy Raczkoski was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor
for his actions; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has received letters in support of this
designation from Nineteenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bruce Colton and retired
Indian River County Sheriff Roy Raymond,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA formally requests the support of the Indian River
County Local Legislative Delegation in naming that portion of S.R. 60 between 43rd
Avenue in Vero Beach and Interstate 95 "The Richard Raczkoski Memorial Highway";
and the Clerk to the Board is directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the
members of the Indian River County Local Legislative Delegation.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2009-174
The resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Davis, and the motion
was seconded by Commissioner Wheeler, and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was
as follows:
Chairman Peter D. O'Bryan Aye
Vice Chairman Bob Solari Absent
Commissioner Wesley S. Davis Aye
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher Aye
Commissioner Gary C. Wheeler Aye
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted
this 1st day of December, 2009.
ATTEST: Jeffrey K. Barton
Clerk of Court
Deputy Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
BY Alll� U-44
WILLIAM G. OLEINS II
COUNTY ATTORNEY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDI IVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Peter D. O'Bryah, Cha, a
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