Our Beloved Son, Father, Husband, Brother, Confidant and Friend abruptly passed from us Saturday 2/11/17, at home in his recliner with his remote in hand. His heart attack has left a hole in our hearts.
Jon IS an amazing man. To know him is to love him. To Jon there are only two types of people… friends and friends which he hasn't met yet.
Jon was born September 19th, 1964 to parents Keith Michael and Patricia Burnett and named after a hero, John Wayne. Jon has lived up to that name. Jon is a Selfless Hero. Jon has two brothers, David Michael Richey and younger brother Wade Rouse.
Jon grew up in Holladay, Utah and returned to those roots for the remainder of his life.
Jon went to school locally attending Skyline High School and later earned a BA in Business Management at the U of U.
Jon has two sons that he loves. Brian Jonathan Richey (30) and Devin Ross Richey (26).
Jon married the love of his life and soulmate, Hannah Yun Richey December 26th, 2012. His life took on an amazing new glow and excitement.
At the tender age of 19, in 1984, Jon applied for and was hired as a Police Officer with the West Jordan Police Department. He was the youngest Police Officer in the State. Jon was not old enough to go into bars or buy a handgun or ammunition. That State Law has since been remedied. Jon became a Dog Handler. That is where his adventure began.
Jon applied and was hired by the Salt Lake City Police Department September 1, 1988. He was promoted to Detective, and served in Burglary, Homicide, and Narcotics. He became a K9 Sergeant in 2003. He later was a Sergeant in Robbery. Jon retired from SLCPD in 2007 and was hired on with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, which would later become The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, where he was working at the time of his passing.
Some of the awards and commendations Jon received during his career include: The Medal of Honor, The Purple Heart, Two International Police K9 Championships (Germany, Canada), Four National Police K9 Championships, The International Police Dog Championships ‚ First Place Award 1993, 1994, 1995 with his K9 Drago, the Distinguished Service Medal, Officer of the Month (twice), Meritorious Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, and over 25 letters of Commendation.
Services will be held at Olympus High School 4055 South 2300 East, Holladay, Utah, on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:00. A public viewing will be held at the same location Friday, February 17, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
