Lieutenant Richard "Rick" Drake II

My sympathy to the family, friends, co-workers and all who loved Lt Drake. May God give you comfort and peace. Lt Drake, rest in peace with the Lord

Rest now, your watch has came to it's final end. Peace to the family, friends, and all who knew Lt. Drake.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. My son was only 9 years old when my husband died. He had just turned 37 years old. You have a wonderful support system in Supporting Heroes. They will be a true source of strength to you in the coming days.

Rhonda Adkins Bell

Wife of KSP Trooper Johnny Adkins/U996

Prayers for your personal and department loss.

I never thought i would have to write these words, I am still trying to come to terms with it...

Rick,

watching you go from FNG knowing not how to gear up right, to so fast at learning, and always with a smile, no matter what was thrown at you. I can recall from the first times your stumbling with gear to watching you (secretly) practice donning up, making sure all was right, so when the tones dropped you would be ready. there are no words to describe how honored i am to have known you. your charm, dedication, happiness, was so positive and spilling onto others, myself included. I am not the most happy and positive person, as anyone can attest, and yes, at times, i would think to my self, great, here comes Drake... oh so happy, and the charisma you had would even brighten me, which takes quite a lot. watching you grow as a firefighter, your charm, brought so much happiness, even to a cynical person as i am. that speaks volumes. I admit i am not religious, yet i had no doubt that you were a true christian in every sense of the term, one of the few that i respected for your religious beliefs, and you showed every time i was around you what a christian truly was. i have had to stop several times while writing just this, because of how strong an impact you had on me. knowing you had such an impact with everyone you came in contact with is just amazing. in the end, we were on different departments, there is not a doubt, for a split second, that i would hesitate to have your back, or if you were backing me, that there was any doubt you would be there, hand on shoulder or boot, going in, and coming back out, doing what needed to be done. i will miss you, and have been truly honored to have been with you in the fire service. you will be truly missed. my deepest thoughts go out to your family.

i envision you with that crazy 'life is good' smile, grabbing the tailboard of a passing engine and helping breath that touch of guidance into some new guy, your hands on his shoulders, guiding them in his or her start in the fire service, passing along your knowledge, in the heat of the fire, what to do, giving them the courage to keep strong, helping them be even half as good as you.

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I will keep you in my prayers. Hopefully one day your tears of sorrow will turn to tears of joy when you remember the good and happy times you had with your loved one.

Rick, you served your family, country, and community with pride. Although we mourn your loss, we're finding comfort by getting, "back on the truck", and doing what you loved to do in your memory. With that said, take break and go to where you are eternally called. We got your back and we'll handle the runs from here on. Rest in Peace and God Speed Brother....You will be sadly missed but NEVER forgotten!

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with Lieutenant Richard Drake's family, co-workers, and friends. May the Lord comfort you.