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Source: Bristol PD
Over the past weekend, a family from the tiny state of Rhode Island suffered a great loss as Patrol Officer Richard Jean-Georges of the Bristol Police Department was caught in the treacherous rip currents, which in recent months have claimed the lives of various visitors who come to enjoy the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. These dangerous rip currents have been particularly pronounced in Jaco Beach and the rest of the Central Pacific Coast.
The grieving family of the dearly departed police officer set up a GoFundMe online pledge account to help them with the costs of the augmented search efforts, the subsequent funeral, and immediate living expenses. They asked for $10K and received nearly $25K in a single day. These are the GoFundMe statements:
As you all have heard by now, Richard was vacationing in Costa Rica with a few of his family members when a tragic event struck. He was swept out into the ocean late Saturday night and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. I’m setting this account up to help cover the expenses that family and friends have gone out of pocket for to help aide in the search for our beloved Richard. Anything you can give helps and would be greatly appreciated, thank you all in advance and let’s hope that he is found soon!
About 24 hours later, the Jean-Georges family posted:
FAMILY, that’s what we all are now. I again would like to thank you all for the contributions and sweet words for me brother. I can not and will not ask you guys to give anymore.
The official statements below were issued by the Bristol Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General
June 10, 2015
401-253-6900
It is with [a] heavy heart and great amount of sorrow and sadness that I announce the passing of 3-year Patrol Officer Richard Jean-Georges. Richard Jean-Georges was vacationing with a group of family members and friends in Costa Rica over the past weekend when a tragic incident occurred, the undercurrent pulled Officer Jean-Georges out to sea and he went missing Saturday evening.
His body was recovered by a search team late yesterday afternoon. A team of my officers, who responded to Costa Rica to assist and support Officer Jean-Georges’ family, and to assist the local authorities with the search or any other duties of which the Costa Rican authorities deemed necessary.
The team of Bristol officers will be escorting his body back to Rhode Island, upon it being released by the Costa Rican authorities.
I will forward information to all upon putting together dates and times for the services after speaking with the family members upon their return to Rhode Island.
I would also like to thank each and every person and organization that has sent their condolences to the family; I also wish to thank those in the law enforcement community for their continued support at this time.
Josue D. Canario
Chief of Police
Here’s the statement by Peter Kilmartin, Rhode Island Attorney General:
On behalf of all the employees of the Office of Attorney General, I extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Patrolman Richard Jean-Georges and to the Bristol Police Department. It is a tragedy to lose someone so young, who dedicated his life to protecting and serving his community. Although only on the police department for three years, Patrolman Jean-Georges exemplified the professionalism and excellence associated with veteran officers.
