South Windsor Remembers Lt. Richard Bond

One thing became clear during South Windsor Police Lt. Richard Bond’s memorial services at Wapping Community Church on Monday.

No matter what the situation, according to police Chief Matthew Reed and brother John Bond, people were happy that Rich was there.

“On the road and in social settings, when nothing was happening or things were falling apart at the seams, you were glad he was there,” John Bond said. “As a co-worker, you had to compete with his standards and work ethic … but you were glad he was there.

“If you were a friend on the road [on motorcycles] you probably didn’t have much discussion on those rides … and you were glad he was there.”

Sadly, Lt. Rich Bond lost his 2-year battle with cancer at age 54 on Jan. 8.

But Reed repeated something that a person told him at the wake on Sunday.

“We don’t have to learn to live without Rich Bond because he is here,” Reed said. “So much of what he was is in our hearts and in our minds. So we don’t have to live without Rich Bond.”

Lt. Richard Bond was born and raised in South Windsor and graduated from South Windsor High School in 1977.

He attended Stone Hill College until he was hired as a South Windsor police officer in 1980 between his junior and senior years.

“Clearly he was destined for police work,” Reed said.

Indeed, Bond held numerous positions in the department throughout the years, including patrol officer, criminal investigator, traffic officer, patrol supervisor and field training officer.

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2007 and went back to college to finish his degree.

He excelled at traffic safety and accident reconstruction, serving as the commander of the region on the Metro Traffic Services unit.

“He was a hard worker,” Reed said. “He had a police radio and a fire radio in his personally owned vehicle so he could respond anytime, anywhere to any crisis.”

Reed said that Bond used mathematics, technology and science to recreate some of the most horrific and spectacular accidents that have occurred in the region in recent years.

In addition, Bond had to break the news to families that their loved ones had been seriously injured or killed in an accident.

“His ability to break the most heart-wrenching news in the toughest of situations was uncanny,” Reed said. “He could always choose the right words for the right people at the right time. Sadly in his career he was the bearer of bad news on many occasions. I like to think those families were somehow better off in a peculiar kind of way - having had that type of life-altering news delivered to them by Rich Bond.”

John Bond said that the reason why Rich Bond was so dedicated was because “he loved to work. He loved to work hard. … and he loved his job.”

And though he did not like to show it publicly, Rich Bond’s gruff exterior belied his tenderness.

“He loved his horses, dogs, his cats and pretty much any critter that showed up on his door,” John Bond said. “We all say he was a gruff, surly, moody guy … and he was. But I’ll tell you, if you had a little fur suit on and [showed up at his door], you could probably spend the night.”

Rich Bond was also known to get down on one knee to talk to children so they could look him in the eye.

“He had a strong, tough exterior,” Reed said. “I know sometimes Rich could be a bit challenging. But he had remarkable strength and dedication. … Rich Bond was a good man. I will truly miss him.”

When he wasn’t working, the thing Rich Bond loved to do above all else was to ride motorcycles.

“He loved the people he rode with,” John Bond said. “For that, we thank you.”

Fittingly, Bond was led by a police escort to Wapping Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.