On Dec. 1, the Santa Maria Police Department announced the Nov. 27 passing of retired police corporal Mark Riddering. He was 53 years old. Riddering worked for the Santa Maria Police Department from 1989 to 1998. He retired after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, but continued to be a vital asset to the department.
When asked what he thought people would miss most about Riddering, former Santa Maria Police Department Public Information Officer Mike Cordero said, “The wisdom and counseling he could give to just about anyone.
“Mark was a person who wanted to be identified by his faith rather than his successes in life,” Cordero said. “He was always a happy guy, always fun to work with. His integrity was beyond reproach.”
According to markriddering.com, a website created in Riddering’s honor, he graduated from Oxnard High School in 1973 where he excelled in swimming and water polo. In 1975, he married his wife, Sue, and the couple had four children. Riddering began his police career in Port Hueneme, and later worked for the Oxnard and Ventura police departments. In 1989, he was hired by the Santa Maria Police Department, where he worked until his medical retirement.
Riddering was one of the department’s first two Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers, and was considered to be a driving force behind bringing the DARE program to the Santa Maria Bonita School District. He was also an instructor and program developer for the interdepartmental drug-training program, and an established court expert in drug investigations. He served as a homicide detective, an original beat coordinator in Santa Maria’s Community Services Unit, and a corporal in charge of the narcotics unit. Even after he retired, Riddering still served the department as an investigations and training consultant.
“He was so good at what he did,” Cordero said.
So good, in fact, that the department created an award in his honor. The Mark Riddering Award is given each year to the patrol officer who makes the biggest impact on drug investigations.
A memorial service celebrating Riddering’s life was held Dec. 2 at First Christian Church in Santa Maria. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mark Riddering fund at any Rabobank branch. The money will go to charities chosen by the Riddering family. Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary and Crematory.
This article appears in Dec 4-11, 2008.