Richard Charles Wilson

Funeral services celebrating the life of St. Cloud Assistant Police Chief Richard C. Wilson, age 58 will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Joy Christian Center in St. Cloud. Pastor Brian Gobar will officiate. Rich passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Interment will be private.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Joy Christian Center. Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Richard was born November 28, 1956 in Virginia, Minnesota to Douglas and Charlene (Beyer) Wilson. He grew up in Eveleth where he graduated in 1975. He worked at Eveleth Taconite from 1975 until 1986. Richard earned AA and AAS degrees from Mesabi Community College in 1989 and a Bachelor of Elective Studies from St. Cloud State University in 2001. Richard served the citizens of St. Cloud from June 1990 until his passing on February 18, 2015. He rose in the ranks from Patrol Officer to the Assistant Chief of Police of the St. Cloud Police Department during his career in St. Cloud.

Rich’s core values for policing were focused on the concept of community policing. Some of his proudest accomplishments were the creation and success of the Community Crime Impact Team (CCIT), collaborative efforts with area schools, businesses, and outreach to all persons and cultures making up our St. Cloud community. He believed so strongly in these values that he not only created police initiatives, but regularly led by example by personally walking the downtown beat; meeting and greeting the public at all levels.

Rich also believed in teamwork and often referred to the St. Cloud Police Department as his second family. Rich was also extremely proud of his involvement in the SWAT team where he served as a founding member, a sniper, a team leader and eventually the SWAT Commander. Rich loved the camaraderie, the cohesiveness, and the great responsibility to public safety that accompanied these positions.

Richard was a member of the International Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Police Chiefs Association and the St. Cloud Police Benefit Association.

Richard was a man of true integrity. He always had a story or a one-liner. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed flying, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, skiing, and sharing stories around a campfire. He had a big heart and always put family, friends and work before himself.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sherilyn; son, Ryan; daughter, Elizabeth; mother, Charlene; brother, Brian; sisters, Cheryl (Terry) Tilton, Renee (Mark) Kailanen, Leane (Chris Erickson) Wilson; and nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Wilson in 2009.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.