Edward L. Richardson (Eddie or Ed) was born September 2, 1929 in Hilton Village,

Warwick County (Newport News) Va. His birth place is still present just down the road

from the Village Theater. His mother was Ella Ruth Richardson, formally Ella Ruth

Carneal, who's lineage goes back to the Upshaws and Taylors who were very prominent

in Colonial affairs. The genealogy reads like a who's, who, of Virginia history.

Ed's father, Edward Richardson, Sr., according to Ed, was a store clerk, who never

seemed to have a healthy day. Senior died when Ed was twelve. Ruth subsequently met

and married Leonard Rosendahl, who was 18 years younger than her. Ruth was young

for her age and all who knew her recognized her energetic vitality right up to her

passing. "Little Rosie" was the heart and leader of the family. Interestingly, Leonard had

been in the Army in WW2 and had "hit the beach" in the Normandy invasion as a

military policeman; he rode a motorcycle with Third Army in the Military Government

detachment. Edward, his step-son, would also ride motorcycles as an MP, and his

grandson (Tom) would ride motorcycles as an MP. A very strange coincidence since

none of these people sought out this destiny. Leonard, known as "Rosie", turned out to be a great dad and granddad. His memory will linger in the hearts of all who knew him.

His Midwestern values are ingrained in the grandchildren; and perhaps became the basis

for Ed's moral extrapolations between right and wrong, eventually leading him into law

enforcement.

Ed had an interesting childhood, as his natural father had been sick during some very

formative years of Ed's life. It could be argued that Ed's rough and tough exterior had

developed as a result of growing up without a dad at an important time in his

development. And, of course, times were different back then; the Great Depression had

an impact on everyone. Perhaps freedom had a different meaning on a child growing up

between to World Wars. In any event, Ed ran the neighborhood with his buddies,

reminiscent of the "Little Rascals". He often told tales of their exploits of swiping pies

from windows, pulling girls pig tails and scaring neighboring children as they attempted

to go home from the local movie theater. He remembered the Hilton Elementary School

principal's name, Miss Mennin. He remembered the episodes where he was punished

for his exploits by that same principal. He remembered his second grade teacher was

Mrs. White and the time his mother had given him a fern to give her as a means to

placate her after throwing a snow ball at a girl. As Ed grew older, he worked at the

Village Theater as a usher and behind the snack counter, thus, we now know where is

sweet tooth originated. He saw many of the movies that came out and remarked later in

life the ones he had seen as a child. We can only imagine how he parlayed his position at

the theater with the local girls.
Ed graduated from Morrison High School, class of 1946, before the school was renamed

Warwick HS. The name was changed when the county was absorbed by Newport News.

Can you imagine that time in America? No television, only radio, movies, and

socializing as a pastime? Ed learned from Rosie how to ride a motorcycle. Some of the

photos that have been taken at the time are reminiscent of a Marlon Brando film; leather

jackets, slouch hats and daredevil riding with no hands on the handlebars. Ed did it all,

and rode his motorcycle to school, it had to have been pretty cool. For dates, Ed had a

friend with a car and a rumble seat... again, the girls must have been impressed. Oddly,

few stories were told of those exploits, although smiles could be detected behind glazed

eyes when the subject came up.

One of the great stories Ed would tell was from the time he was young and went on a

cattle boat to Bremen, Germany. WW2 had decimated the horse population in Europe.

He and a friend, Grover Long, who was two years older, rode a bus down to the docks in

Newport News and got papers to work as hands feeding the horses on the crossing. Ed

talked his mother into signing the papers and they got the necessary shots. For the next

two weeks they went down every day to the office and finally wore down the doctor

who had to approve Ed, seems he was too young, as many young boys were backing out.

According to Ed the doctor was impressed with his tenacity and the fact they had done

everything required. The next day after the doc said he would not stop him from going, Ed's mother drove him to the C and O piers and saw him off. The name of the ship was

the Santa Clara Victory. They had some adventures on the ship and during their 5 day

stay in Germany. Let's just say it is good Ed fell on the right side of the law. On the trip

home the ship was diverted to Canada while in the Chesapeake Bay. The Canadians gave

them 12 hours to leave the country. He and Grover were offered another trip to Europe

by the ship captain, but Ed chose to go out to Iowa after telephoning his mother. They

rode a train back to Virginia from Montreal. Ed was 16 years old.

He returned to high school, graduated and went to work insulating pipes on the USS

Newport News. He remembers the install crews enjoyed causing the asbestos fibers to

rain down on each other. Ed did not like that so much. He had been in the Navy Reserve

so decided to try the Air Force. He and some friends were disappointed that the Air

Force was real picky and had no vacancies. The friends decided to wait, but Ed did not

wait. He went and joined the Army. To this day, it can be argued that Ed had an

impulsive nature.

On July 22, 1949, Ed went to Richmond and joined the US Army. The first thing he

learned was how to mop floors till it was time to get up in the morning. A couple

decades later, his son, Tom would have the same experience. Ed went by train to Ft.

Knox for basic and was intending to go Airborne, until some guys started jumping off

footlockers yelling "Geronimo". His impulsive nature was then checked and under a tree

at Ft. Benning he was asked by a Sargent, "what do you want to do?". Ed said he wanted

to be an MP. The Sargent said, "Boy, you are now an MP". Funny coincidence,

Granddad Rosie related the same story as how he became an MP, only it was at Ft.

Eustis, different tree, different Sargent... Ed was assigned to the 3rd Inf Division, 3rd MP

Company. He was a division MP and would see combat in Korea.

In the US, troops were trained in amphibious operations. From Little Creek the Division

practiced assaulting the Island of Vieques off Puerto Rico. During the Division's time in

Virginia, Ed had the chance to visit home. In his personal history he did not relate details

of the visit; but, it was later learned through Rosie, that girls were involved and several

trips across Hampton Roads was made on the ferry where Ed introduced some of his

buddies to local girls.

Korea proved to be an adventure. Ed found himself in North Korea just south of the

Chosen Reservoir at a place called Hamhung. While directing military traffic under a

mortar barrage Ed was recognized by his unit for staying at his post and clearing

vehicles and civilians from the congested area. He was later surprised while at another

traffic control point, an officer rode by in a jeep and handed him the Bronze Star.

Ed remembered multinational troops trying to get up to the north. One day a line of

British tanks were attempting to enter a tunnel under his control. Only one way traffic

was permitted in this narrow tunnel and the British were desperate to get north. Ed

showed the tankers where a trail was located down the slope but questioned it's safety.

The British officer ordered twelve tanks down the slop and they succeeded.

When the Marines came down from the west of the reservoir and the Army troops came

down from the east, Ed's MP units of the Third Inf Div were part of the rear guard. Ed

eventually made it to the beach at Hungnam where he found very little help keeping

order. He recalled a general officer approached him and asked where was his help; Ed

replied, "the hell if I know". The general ordered Ed to take his aid to Ed's commanding

officer, a major. Ed went in with the aid, a captain, who commenced to dress the major

down and in no uncertain terms, ordered him to get people to the choke point on the

beach. Ed was among the last troops off the beach along with the engineers who blew up

the heavy equipment that could not be salvaged. He had to swim out to the landing craft

as the coxswains refused to go into the beach. The group he was with had to be taken

into the engine room as their uniforms were frozen. It was December 24, 1950; and it

was the largest and most successful military evacuation in history. Civilian evacuees

numbered over 300 thousand along with all the troops in the region. The UN command

imposed a news censorship on the press; not much was known about what happened

until much later. There were some stories Ed told about a Korean boy who took up with

them; and about the refugees coming out of the north and how the Chinese and North

Korean soldiers would try to hide as women; and of his experiences guarding enemy

POWs. So many stories, I am sure some have gone with him.

Not long after getting home Ed met Anna at a dance. Rosie, Ed's step dad, had set a

friend of his up with Ann; well, Ed met Ann at the dance they were all attending, the

attraction was mutual as Ed and Ann dated five times when Ed asked Ann what she wanted for Christmas....she said, "you." They were married December 25,th 1951. Ed

deserves credit in adopting Ann's son from a previous marriage, Joseph. This action and

subsequent acts of love toward Joe can not be denied by anyone who knows the history.

When he came back home from the Army, Ed got a job with a linen service. He met

many people and made connections. He had known the manager of Warwick County

who had told him of the consolidation of Warwick and Newport News. Ed had wanted to

be a Warwick County Policeman; he was told to hold on and try for Newport News. He

eventually got on with the help of Captain Nicholson and was assigned to ride

motorcycles, largely because he knew how. One of the memorable stories was when he

and his partner were sitting on 25th Street when a sedan sped by and was being chased by

another vehicle. The interesting part is the two cars were shooting at each other. Of

course, a high speed pursuit ensued. As the two motorcycle cops approached the chase

vehicle the occupants flashed their badges. As it turned out, two Newport News

detectives were chasing a notable bootlegger of that time. The motorcycles took the lead

and closed in on the bootlegger, who began to throw his cargo out the windows. Both

cops were soaked. With eyes burning and licking their lips, they arrested the bootlegger.

Later a defense attorney would ask how they knew what the cargo was. Ed laughed so

hard on the witness stand the judge called a halt to the proceeding and stipulated that the

officers knew booze from water. Related to the same incident, Chief Peach, wanted Ed

to respond to reports that officers on motorcycles were heard to be cursing in the pursuit.

After being satisfied that it was not these two officers (which it really was), the chief wanted to know if the hat in his possession was Ed's. In fact, it was his hat and had

flown off during the pursuit. Chief Peach was a stickler about hats and told Ed to not let

it happen again. He said nothing about the hole in the hat or why it smelled of alcohol.

Not long after that Ed got on with the Hampton Police.

Not many stories were told about Hampton, other than the times Ed had to lock up

someone close to him or that he knew. Some parties learned their lessons and improved

as a result of friendly intervention and some did not. Many officers in the department

knew Captain Richardson could deal with difficult problems. Ed was not a compromiser

when it came down to continual repeated disrespect or poor behavior on the part of

anyone. On the other hand, he was extremely fair and conscious of the humanity

necessary for his position and the professionalism required for his occupation. One of

his biggest challenges was dealing with delinquent family. It took a strong man to realize

his position and make the right choices, thus preserving the dignity of his profession

while teaching a lesson to those he thought he could help. There are officers who have

worked for Captain Richardson who would acknowledge his fairness. The facts gleamed

from rumors seldom proved to be true; so as far as the modern era of Ed's police career

are concerned, they should be told by those who were there. When Police Chief Manetti

went to Harvard, Ed was the acting Police Chief for the City of Hampton. During that

year it is said that the department and citizens were well served. Officers from that era

still comment about enjoying their time under Captain Richardson's leadership.

The City Manager wrote Ed a letter, dated 1 July 1980:

Dear Capt. Richardson:

Your contributions to the City were quite noticeable during the time you served as Acting Chief of Police. I like your style. One can't lose with forthrightness and a willingness to stand up and be counted. You display these characteristics.

It was important for the men to know where you stood; and certainly citizens and members of my staff, including myself, knew where you were all the time on any issue. I appreciate your support during the personal flare-ups experienced while you held the position of Acting Chief. I think, though, the part I enjoyed the most is knowing that you had so much fun doing the job.

Wendell White

City Manager

The reference to "fun" in this letter, perhaps goes back to the time of a department head

meeting Ed attended in his role as chief. The department heads sat around the room had

given their reports when Mr. White came to Ed, where upon Ed got up, opened the door

to the room and exotic music started and in danced a dark haired belly dancer who

commenced to dance for the better part of a minute. Ed later told the story of mixed

smiles and guarded responses. When the music stopped Mr. White excused everyone but

Ed. As the story goes, Mr. White was amused and asked what possessed Ed to do such a

thing. Ed said that he didn't think he would get fired for spicing up the meeting. Every

time the two men saw each other afterwards Mr. White shared a conspiracy of happiness

over the incident with a wink or a nod of the head, but always a smile.

As Chief, Ed was instrumental in the official establishment of the public safety dive

team. This was a unit composed of Police Officers and Firefighters. It was unique in its

era as no other city in the region had such interdepartmental cooperation. Police and

Fire worked closely with one another to provide specialize rescue operations involving

the jurisdictional areas of the city, and, recovery operations for evidence to assist

investigations.

Back tracking a few years, Ed attended and graduated with honors with an Associates

degree in Police Sciences from TNCC. In 1965 he had the honor to attend and graduate

from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, 75th Session, where he

made several life long friends. He subsequently attended the annual retraining sessions

around the country for many years. He and Ann enjoyed traveling to such cities as

Miami and Nashville. Other travels were made in their life time as they visited Hawaii,

the Grand Canyon and Maine. Family members would often remark when visiting a

place whether mom and dad would like the destination. The tradition of traveling with

"the folks" was started with big Rosie and Little Rosie. They would take the

grandchildren on trips. Many fond memories and a lot of pictures resulted from those

trips.

Ed was continually called on to help with projects around the children's homes or on

boat projects; in many ways he was a friend and a father. Ed was a man who would

show his love through his actions and not words. He could be counted on, even if he did

not happen to be an expert in the particular task at hand, he would always be there.

Some very fond memories exist of exploits sailing, camping, fishing and hunting. In

many respects, Ed was a man's – man; there was not much he would not try. In the early

years, Ed's children kept wondering when he was going to bring "the dog" home. When

they asked where he was going, he would always reply that he was going to "see a man

about a dog". They often wondered about all the dogs. But there were dogs, hunting

dogs and pet dogs; there was a raccoon, there were rabbits...many great memories of the

animals in their lives.

Ed was a Master Mason, a life member of the Hall Lodge No. 53, in Shawboro, NC.,

and the Monitor Lodge in Hampton, VA. He enjoyed the brotherhood and enjoyed the

meals. His specialty was baked beans. The fellowship was important to him.

Anna Belle Tyre Richardson, passed away September 11, 2014. They were married, 63

years. Anna and "Eddie" resided in Hampton and Waterview Shores in Grandy, NC.

They loved the beach, fishing, the quiet neighborhood, and attending Bluegrass

Festivals. They also loved their Dachshund dogs, Frankie and Molly. Ed was a fairly

good accordion player who could be persuaded to play a polka for special occasions. His

favorite pastime was fishing and being with children. Children seemed to bring out

special smiles. In later years, Ed, enjoyed black and white movies; war dramas and

westerns. Ann would frequently complain that Ed was watching an old movie, again.

Ann and Ed's immediate family, Thomas E. Richardson of Yorktown, Douglas (Wayne)

Richardson of Yorktown, and Joseph Nelson Richardson of Hampton; sister, Doris Hicks

of Yorktown; and grandchildren, Jennifer Watlands of Hawaii, Nathan Richardson of New Mexico (USAF), Steven Richardson of Florida, Roseann Richardson of

Chesapeake and Vanessa Leggette of Newport News and eleven great grandchildren.

Ed particularly loved Tom's wife, Deborah. He had know her since she was fifteen; if

Tom had not married her there would have been real trouble for Tom. She held a special

place in his heart. Tom and Deborah cared for Ed and were there at the last. He lived

with them for fifteen months. Tom and Ed would sit and talk about anything. Tom is a

philosopher, Ed was not, but be was a believer in our savior.

Wayne is an accomplished musician and has been involved with music for most of his

life. Ed only recently heard him play for the first time at an outdoor concert. Wayne

enjoyed many fishing adventures with his dad. During the past year, getting Ed in and

out of the boat became a monumental feat, but Wayne still continued to take him. During

his last fishing adventure, when he had difficulty getting him out of the boat, Wayne told

his dad that he may have to cover him with a tarp and have him ride home in the back of

the boat. Wayne is married Theresa Wright on Mother's Day 2015. There are special

people in the world of which Theresa is one. She is truly dedicated to her children.

Ed and Ann's great grandchildren were a particular blessing in their lives. Tom and Deb's

sons are Nathan and Steven. Nathan married Jessica Youngberg in 2007 and have two

sons, Ethan and Liam. Steven married Amanda Love in 2014 and they have a daughter,

Lydia.

Wayne's daughters are Roseann Richardson and Vanessa Leggette. Roseann has five

children, Stefany, Brandon, Lucas, Rylan, and Brannon. Vanessa had a son, Michael,

who is deceased, and a son, James who resides in Newport News. Wayne's wife,

Theresa, has two daughters, Melissa Wright and Melanie Blackwell and a grandson

Steven Blackwell. Theresa's son, Dylan is deceased.

Joseph Richardson's daughter, Jennifer Watlands and her husband Robbie have a

daughter, Pressley, and a son Jaxson. They reside in Hawaii.

Edward loved his profession as a Hampton police officer and it showed in his devotion

to duty and love for fellow officers. He loved his country, as seen in his service. He

loved his family, as seen in his devotion, caring, an level of responsible character. He

was a man who knew the difference in right and wrong but was not afraid to have fun.

So many times he had been heard to say he had no regrets about a single thing he had

done. How many of us can say that?