Santa Monica Officer Killed in Iraq

By Jorge Casuso

May 28 -- Santa Monica Police Officer Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, was killed by a rocket propelled grenade early Thursday morning in Iraq, where he was serving his second tour of duty, police officials said Friday.

A ten-year veteran of the department, Crocker, who was known to his friends as "Rick," was identified by his Dog Tags and the name badge on his uniform. It was unknown if there were additional casualties in the attack, which took place in the province of Haditha.

"He was an excellent Santa Monica Police officer and ambassador and protector of the community," said Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. "Rick was the consummate caring professional who represented the highest standards and traditions of law enforcement and this Department.

"He was admired and loved by most everyone that had the opportunity to know him and it was just that, an opportunity, to know Rick," Butts said. "He will be missed by all of us. The City of Santa Monica has lost a great guardian and role model."

Crocker's last assignment was with the Police Activities League, where he was "an outstanding role model and mentor for the youth of Santa Monica," Butts said.

Crocker held the rank of Captain in the U.S. Marines when he was hired in July 1995 and has since been promoted to the rank of Major, Butts said.

He was "extremely fit and tactically proficient," the chief said.

Crocker's remains will be returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware in the next five to seven days, Butts said.

"Crocker left a sealed envelope behind containing his instructions for the type and location of services he wanted," the chief said, adding that the envelope would be opened by Crocker's mother in the presence of Marine personnel Friday.

Although his parents live in the South Bay, Crocker may be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, according to Butts.

Crocker, who was single and had no children, is survived by his mother Jeanette, father Curtis, sisters Marisa and Maria and brother Carlos. Another sister, Linda, died 11 years ago.