GREGG RIDDLE 1949-2014
Reprinted from APCO International, June 27th, 2014 in APCO News.
Gregg Riddle died this morning, June 27, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The wake was held Monday, June 30, from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Grove Memorial Chapel at 1199 S. Arlington Heights Rd., in Elk Grove Village. Gregg’s funeral was held Tuesday, July 1,2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Riddle had a highly accomplished career in public safety spanning four decades, which he began as a paid-on-call firefighter in hishome town of Harvey, Illinois. Following graduation from Northern Illinois University, he entered the fire service as a full time firefighter with the Elk Grove Village Fire Department. He became one of the first paramedics for the department in 1972. Heprogressed up through the ranks and retired after 30 years as the Deputy Fire Chief responsible for Administrative Operations. He was instrumental in building the Elk Grove FD Station 8 and renovating its FD Administration Center. Riddle’s final work assignment was with the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center from 2000 to 2008 as its first executive director.
Riddle joined APCO International in 1981 and earned distinctions of Senior and Life Member. He was elected to the Executive Committee of the Board in 2008 and served his presidential year in 2011-12. While serving in many APCO posts, he led the initiative for wireless 9-1-1 funding in his State,
and held a long tenure as the Executive Council Representative for the Illinois Chapter. He chaired the Management Committee of the Council for many years and also chaired the Constitution & Bylaws Committee. In his most recent post as chair of the Leadership Development Committee, Riddle forged consensus on a new scoring regimen to raise the qualifications threshold for officer candidates. Riddle was a graduate of APCO’s Registered Public-Safety Leadership (RPL) certificate program, which he helped develop. In honor of a lifetime of distinguished service, his colleagues honored him in 2013 by dedicating the APCO Executive Offices in Alexandria Virginia in his name. At the unveiling, Riddle said he regarded this tribute as the capstone of his career and credited his work with APCO International for much of his professional success.
Mr. Riddle is survived by his wife, Shay, brother David, sister Nancy and sons Bradley and Scott (and spouse Jennifer). He was surrounded by family during his final days who credit the many cards and letters from APCO colleagues for keeping Gregg’s spirits high.
VALERIE HERNANDEZ 1974-2013
FIRE/LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER MANAGER – FLAGSTAFF AZ/COCONINO COUNTY
On Sunday April 21st, the most wonderful, kind and loving person ever known to many of us left this world way too early. Valerie Hernandez, known to most of us as Val, passed away due to medical complications. Val was the Communications Manager for the Flagstaff Police, Sheriff, and Fire 911 center.
Valerie was an active participant on the AZ-APCO-NENA Fire/EMS committee and acted as secretary/scribe for our meetings. She always had interesting news of the north country and never an unkind word about anyone.
Valerie began her service to the citizens of Flagstaff in the Police Records Section in 1991. She transferred into the Communications Section in 1993, and promoted to Dispatch Lead worker in 1999. In 2011 Val was promoted to Communications Manager. Val’s dedication to her community and profession has been noted by the numerous commendations she has received over the years. Her infectious smile and sense of humor will be missed by all.
JACK DANIEL – 2012
CREATOR OF THE ARIZONA APCO / NENA LOGO
Jack Daniel, a Life and Senior member of APCO and a longstanding commercial supporter of APCO International from the CPRA chapter.
“Jack was a legend in public safety communications,” says APCO International member and Commercial Advisory Council chair Rick Ringold. “He was extremely product knowledgeable and giving with his knowledge. If he knew something and could help you, he would share it.”
“Jack was a professional and a gentleman, and will be sorely missed by his friends and his APCO family,” says APCO Life Member and past APCO International President Gary David Gray. “He was one of those people who has seen and done everything. He was a peacemaker. He wasn’t a salesman, but would tell it like it is. He ran a tight ship.” Gray describes Jack as “firm but fair. He had a very strong sense of fair play. He wouldn’t allow anyone to take advantage of APCO or the CAC. Knowing and working with him was a blessing.”
Jack was a proud supporting member of APCO International, serving on numerous committees, including the Commercial Advisory Council and the Editorial Advisory Committee.
He was a member of at least four APCO chapters: CPRA, NAPCO, Arizona and Nevada. One APCO member described Jack as the father of the Western Regional Conference.
“Jack was a stellar individual and a dedicated member of APCO,” says Richard Granado, APCO Life and Senior Member and Western Region Director. “He was the fabric that connected the commercial members, whether working on finding sponsors for events, putting together the dispatcher awards and even the monthly meeting. It will be difficult for anyone to fill his shoes.”
Jack was a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Code Council (ICC), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He was also a Fellow of the Radio Club of America. He was an expert on NFPA and International Fire Code in-building communications codes for first responders. He was the vice chair of the NPSTC in-building committee and was participating in new nationwide in-building code developments in NFPA and ICC.
He had more than 50 years’ experience in land mobile wireless communications, ranging from field tech rep to corporate management. Over the past 15 years, his company had become known nationwide as a leading authority in advanced in-building and underground radio communications system designs and products for public safety and industry, including the use of fiber-optic cables for RF signal distribution and software augmented signal boosters. He was a speaker at numerous APCO International Annual Conferences, as well as IWCE and other national level conferences on RF distribution of cellular, private radio and public safety wireless signals. He was the author of multiple articles in trade publications.
Jack will surely be missed.