He was born June 3rd, 1932, in Portland, the son of Everett Winslow Ridlon and Anne Jane (Wallace) Ridlon.
After graduating from Deering High School Wesley joined the US Army serving during the Korean Conflict. After his service he continued with the Maine National Guard in the 133rd engineering battalion, reaching the rank of Warrant Officer.
In 1956 he went into law enforcement with the Portland Police Department. He was appointed patrolman June 17, 1957, firearms instruction 1967-1974, traffic division 1965-1967, originator radar section 1967, originator school liaison officer 1969-1972, appointed director of community relations 1972-1977, promoted to Sargeant October 1,1972 as head of crime prevention division, and then retiring from the police force in 1977.
Wesley was also named the Parade Magazine's Policeman of the Year in 1971 in recognition of his service in the Portland community. The award also recognized "his work with kids as Officer Friendly in the Portland school system.
In 1971 Wesley received an award for his work in the community from Lions Club International along with John Glenn, the astronaut, and the president of the United Nations. With that Wesley appeared on the To Tell the Truth TV show in episode 1013 stumping the panel.
In his early years on the police force Wesley chauffeured Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy during a campaign stop in Portland bringing Mr. Kennedy to Wesley’s mother in laws sandwich shop for one of her Italian sandwiches for lunch.
Wesley also chauffeured then President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson while on a campaign stop in Portland. Mrs. Johnson gave Wesley a yellow rose from her bouquet to bring home to his wife.
Wesley’s career with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office began in 1978. He was a sergeant and was assigned to community relations.
He then ran for sheriff in 1990 and became the 48th sheriff of Cumberland County and served as the sheriff for eight years.
Wesley was a member of the Lions Club International and the Woodfords Club in Portland.
Throughout his life he collected antique Buicks which he proudly displayed at car shows and usually walked away with the grand prize. He was very knowledgeable about all makes of automobiles, but Buicks were his passion.
Wesley is survived by his three children, Dan Ridlon & wife Jeanne, Margaret Hutchins & husband Bradley, and David Ridlon & husband Bryan Ross along with grandchildren Nicholas Hutchins, Rebecca Elkanich, Wesley Ridlon, Robert Ridlon and Anthony Ridlon and six great grandchildren, Edward, Matthew and Isabella Hutchins as well as Knox, Penelope, and Laurel Ridlon.
Wesley was predeceased by his wife Elvira (DiBiase) Ridlon and a brother Everett Gilbert Ridlon.
Visitation will be held 10-11 am Wednesday, February 8th at Jones, Rich, and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland where a service will follow at 11 am.
Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
