Fellow police officers and community members have been expressing their deepest condolences with the recent death of retired Ofc. Richard Hannibal.
“It is with heavy hearts,” reads a Sept. 24 post on the MBPD Facebook Page, “that we share the passing of former Reserve Police Officer Richard Hannibal, who served our department and community faithfully from 2004 to 2012.”
Originally from Monterey Park, Calif., Ofc. Hannibal served a full law enforcement career in Southern California before joining MBPD as a reserve.
He is being remembered for his professionalism in his police work and empathy towards all he came in contact with.
“Beyond his service in uniform,” MBPD’s post reads, “Richard was a cornerstone of the community, earning the title of Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2012.
“His dedication left a lasting imprint on our town, as we still hear wonderful stories about his kindness and service to this day.
“We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to Richard’s family and loved ones during this time.”
Among the numerous comments on the post several were made by former colleagues at MBPD.
“Truly one of the best cops I have ever served with,” wrote former MBPD Cmdr. Bryan Millard, “and the one who taught me the most about humanity. He was the essence of community policing and a mentor in my early days of leadership. Working with him on a shift was a privilege, and he made us all better by his very presence. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace brother. We have the watch.”
“During my short tender with MBPD,” wrote Curtis Mooneyhan, “Hannibal was the most empathetic person I’ve ever met. Truly a great cop who taught me a lot about the job, but more importantly about how to treat others. Rest in peace my friend.”
“Oh man,” wrote Doug Collins, “this brings me great sadness. Hannibal taught me so much as a rookie cop. Not only how to be safe but how and when to police with empathy and compassion. His example of calm and steady leadership on the streets always stuck with me. You will be greatly missed my friend. Prayers and love to your family and friends.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Among the posts from community members was this, “RIP sir, you were such a great officer and an amazing mentor to so many of us as kids growing up. This man was a stellar example of policing and a legend to so many. You will be missed.”
And, “So many of us remember Hannibal actually caring about us and aiming to keep us out of trouble in a real way.”
In a 2010 article under the banner “Behind the Badge” written by Ofc. Hannibal, published in the SLO Coast Journal and entitled, “Women in Law Enforcement,” he wrote: “The years of service ‘hash marks’ on my uniform sleeve indicate that I have been around long enough to see many changes in law enforcement. One of these changes is the evolution of women in law enforcement.
“The Morro Bay Police Department has fine examples of this evolution in the form of Sergeant Su Gomes, Officer Leslie Daily and Officer Stephanie Pipan. I have total trust in them to watch my back, and if the day comes, to save my life.”
The article recalls his start in policing in the 1970s. “When I began as a ‘kid cop,’ you had to be 5-foot 8-inches tall, have all of your teeth, have 20/20 vision uncorrected, and ‘No Gurls Aloud!’
“Law enforcement was predominantly a boy’s club except in peripheral positions. Back then, the few female officers we had were called ‘Matrons’ and relegated to working juvenile, vice and female custody assignments. They were certainly not allowed onto the mean streets of Los Angeles County. They were further demeaned by the badge that read ‘Policeman.’”
He continued, “Even as late as 1980, there were only 178 women on the Los Angeles Police Department; less than 2 percent of the total personnel and few of these were in administrative or supervisory positions. The doubts about women in law enforcement persisted through the years until it was clearly shown that female police officers have proven their valor in the field.
“And back then, the macho vets of the black-and-whites asked if something should ever hit the fan, whether the women cops would be there for them; or, in the absence of men, whether they’d be able to hold their own.
“Through the years female police officers have proven themselves with valor. Today, there is a saying among police officers of all genders and races, ‘We all bleed blue.’”
He wrote about his return to police work in Morro Bay. “Because of my age, I was a little hesitant to get back into police patrol work. But, I watched Corporal Su Gomes (now sergeant) go about her duties coming up against some pretty tough characters.
“I watched as she, and later Officer Daily, used their femininity to calm potentially violent situations. I watched their feminine instincts come into play in incidents that ended with peaceful resolution simply because they were there. It was then that I decided I could use my age in much the same way, and it worked!”
He wrote fondly of his MBPD colleagues. “There is a wonderful collage of personnel in the Morro Bay Police Department. There are young and old, male and female and folks of all faiths, political views and personalities.
“Regardless of any outward differences, we are all dedicated to a common sacred trust. We are all dedicated to protecting the citizens, visitors, and property of Morro Bay; and we all bleed blue.”
