Richard Cates Baumgardner

Richard Cates Baumgardner of Dallas, Texas passed away on November 26, 2015. Richard was born to parents Richard William Baumgardner and Mary Jane McCarley Baumgardner. Richard is survived by his wife Madelyn Ruth Vinson Baumgardner, son Randall William Baumgardner, stepdaughter Sheri Gail McDonald, grandsons James Lane Sutton, Haden McDonald, and Nicholas Gabriel Baumgardner, and granddaughter Magdelyn McCormick. Richard graduated high school from Kimball High School in 1970, where he went on to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and served on active duty from June of 1970 through 1971, serving one tour in Vietnam, then returning stateside and served in the Marine Corps Reserves until March of 1976. In January of 1972, Richard joined the Dallas Police Department and served in the Dallas SWAT team, rode as a motor jockey for several years, and worked the streets for 19 years. In 1990, Richard was promoted to Sergeant and retired from the Dallas Police Department as a Sergeant in 1999. After retirement, Richard went on to create the police department for the City of Hawk Cove, Texas and served as Chief of Police from 2000 - 2002. After stepping down as Chief of Hawk Cove, Richard went on to create the police department for the Quinlan Independent School District where he served as Chief of Police from 2003 - 2006. Richard was also a member of the Quinlan City Counci from 1999-2003, the Marine Corp League, was a 32nd Degree Mason, and also volunteered his time serving as a statistician for the Boles High School football team for 5 years. Richard was also a devoted religious leader in the community and was a member of Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Quinlan, Texas where he became a Deacon and later went on to become a Minister. Later, Richard joined Faith Baptist Church where he also became a member as well as a Deacon. Robert, I know my Dad was a well decorated police officer, and accomplished many different things while on the Police Department, but I am unsure of all his accomplishments, my mind is a little scattered since my father passed and several things I could typically recall at a moments notice have slipped my mind. The one thing that Penny (Rick's wife) has told me was that he was instrumental in assisting in creating the "Wall of the Fallen" at Central. If possible, can you ask some of the police officers that served at the time my father did and gather some additional information. I am trying to do everything on my end to gather information for you that I will try and give to you tomorrow before the service. If you need anything at all from me at this point, please don't hesitate to call me, any time of the day or night, at 910-620-0011. Thank you for everything you are doing for us Robert. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.