Many came to Chehalis today to pay tribute to Officer Rick Silva.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – It began with a procession of pipes and drums and ended with the mournful bugle call of taps.
And in between, the ceremony was attended to by an honor guard of innumerable law enforcement officers.
Rick Silva
1954 – 2015
The main sections of bleachers on both sides of the W.F. West High School gym were mostly filled, as were row upon row of chairs holding family, friends, police officers and others mourners today for Chehalis Police Department Officer Rick Silva.
Silva, 61, of Chehalis, died last week after complications from surgery for an on-the-job injury. His line-of-duty death memorial service followed a 27-year career.
Among the speakers were his chief, the Lewis County sheriff and the Chehalis mayor, who told those gathered of a respected and well-liked officer who treated others with dignity.
“And one thing I’ll always remember is that ever-ready and completely genuine smile Rick had,” Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes said.
Dawes was deputy chief of police when he hired Silva in 2002, from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office where Silva started in 1988.
Attendees at the reception that followed were able to watch a video presentation, some with partially tear-filled eyes, even Chehalis Police Chief Glenn Schaffer.
“We’ll miss him,’ Schaffer said.
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For background, read “Chehalis police mourn loss of veteran officer” from Friday June 19, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter