Retired Nassau police officer Edward Richards of Sayville dies at 83

Edward J. Richards, a retired Nassau County Police Department officer and longtime pillar of the Sayville community, died on Friday, May 9. He was 83.

Richards served more than three decades with the Nassau County Police Department and was a member and past president of the Nassau County Police Holy Name Society.

For decades, he opened his Sayville home to NCPD Holy Name Society members and volunteers in the days before Thanksgiving and Christmas, cooking massive pots of his famous soups and assembling holiday meal food baskets for families in need, according to his obituary at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville.

A Sayville resident for more than 50 years and a seasonal Naples, Florida, resident, Richards also served as a eucharistic minister and usher at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church in Sayville.

Beyond his law enforcement career, Richards was a beloved figure in the community for his holiday generosity. He dressed up as Santa Claus each year to bring gifts and joy to children with Down syndrome, while also making the rounds to family members, neighbors and friends throughout the season.

Additionally, Richards was a member of the Police Emerald Society with Nassau Police and volunteered at Connetquot State Park in Bohemia.

He is survived by his wife Judith of 60 years, daughter Kim and granddaughter Crystal. He was predeceased by his son Matthew.

A funeral Mass will be held two days later, on Friday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Sayville, followed by interment at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

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