Services for Fallen Bristol Police Officer Announced

The Bristol police officer who died in the waters off Costa Rica earlier this month will be laid to rest on Friday.

Patrol Officer Richard J. Jean-Georges, 29, died June 6 after he was overtaken by a powerful rip current.

Since his death, the community of Bristol has been in mourning. Bristol police officers have affixed decals to their cars and have been wearing black stripes on their badges to pay their respects.

Jean-Georges joined the force three years ago and was poised to grow into a long and successful career.

A team of Bristol police officers traveled to Costa Rica last week to help in the search and they have since stayed with him and family members as his body made the trip back home.

Jean-Georges has been described described as an honest, hard-working man who was both a role model and committed public servant.

Jean-Georges was with another man who was rescued.

Jean-Georges’ father said that he was celebrating a cousin’s birthday.

“I pray that nobody else ever has to deal with this because this is the worst thing we’ve ever dealt with” said Manny Jean-Georges Sr.

Jean-George will be buried in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery.

Visting hours are Thursday and his funeral is Friday.

A complete obituary is below:

Jean-Georges, Richard J., Patrolman Bristol Police Department, 29, died Saturday, June 6, 2015 in Costa Rica.

He was the beloved son of Manny and Gladys (Limage) Jean-Georges. Richard attended the University of Alaska before transferring to the University of RI where he graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications and a minor in English.

Upon graduation he worked at Citizens Bank as a Loan Officer until fulfilling his dream to become a Police Officer. He served as a patrolman for the past three years with the Bristol Police Department. Besides his parents, he leaves his sisters Allison High, Cindy E. Jean-Georges and his brother Manny Jean-Georges. He also leaves his grandparents Elise Jean-Georges and Felicite Marie Limage. He was the grandson of the late Joseph Jean-Georges and Mecklembourg Limage.

His funeral will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 8 am from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Avenue, Warwick with a service at 10 am in the Christian Hill Community Church, 56 Tiogue Avenue, West Warwick. Burial will follow in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 pm.

Photo courtesy: Bristol Police Department