LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR
| Deputy Larry Richards, assigned to the Department’s Emergency Operations
Bureau, Terrorism Early Warning Group, was awarded the Bronze Star while
activated as a United States Marine Corps reservist. Deputy Richards, a 12-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, has been a member of the Marine Corps for the past 24 years, with more than 12 years on active duty. Once he completed his active tour, Deputy Richards opted to remain in the Marine Corps by accepting a commission in the Marine Corps Reserve. He joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1992, and after completing the Sheriff’s Academy was assigned to the Men’s Central Jail. In 1995, Deputy Richards transferred to the East Los Angeles Station, where he remained for approximately 2½ years. In 2002, his reserve unit was activated at the onset of the Iraq conflict. In February 2002, he was deployed with his unit to Kuwait. For the next year, Deputy Richards participated in ground-breaking technological warfare designed to disrupt the command and control of the enemy. A portion of the work centered around the analysis and manipulation of enemy computer networks, the protection of United States computer networks, operational security, and psychological operations, which ultimately led to the physical attack of key enemy commanders. The majority of this work was completely new to the Marine Corps, and Deputy Richards was instrumental in bringing it to the forefront. Deputy Richards returned to the United States in June 2003. On December 20, 2003, Deputy Richards, who holds the rank of Marine Corps Colonel, was awarded the Bronze Star for his exemplary work while activated. In Executive Order 9419, dated February 8, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered that the Bronze Star would be awarded |
“...to any person who, while serving in any
capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States on or after December 7, 1941, distinguishes, or distinguished, himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military or naval operations against an enemy of the United States.” |
| Deputy Richards was presented the Bronze Star by his unit commander in
an awards ceremony held at the Marine Base at Camp Pendleton. Deputy Richards,
a resident of Rancho Cucamonga, is married and has a 15-year-old son and
an 18-year-old daughter. Although he has returned to his duties as a Deputy
Sheriff, his unit is facing the potential of being reactivated due to the
ongoing efforts in Iraq. “We are proud to have a member of our Department who not only serves his Country in the military, but does so in such an exemplary manner,” said Sheriff Lee Baca. Any media interview requests should be directed to Deputy Brian Lendman, Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau, at (323) 981-5937. |
SHB-4A-04
X X X
January 13, 2004