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Plaque Dedication Honors Fallen Riverbank Officers
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Riverbank city officials were on hand to praise Boy Scout Joey Timpone, who dedicated his final Eagle Project to honoring the community’s fallen law enforcement officers. VIRGINIA STILL/THE NEWS

A small group gathered at Riverbank Police Services (RPS) for the dedication of a Peace Officer Memorial plaque conceived by Boy Scout Joey Timpone. The plaque was placed on the outside of building so that anyone from the community can pay their respects and remember the fallen officers that served the Riverbank community.

There are two names on the plaque: Patrolman Harold B. Harless and Deputy Sheriff Antonio Hinostroza III. RPS Chief Ed Ridenour expressed that hopefully no other names get added. The End of Watch (EOW) for Harless was Oct. 17, 1965 and for Hinostroza III, it was on Nov. 25, 2018.

The attendance was limited due to COVID-19 and precautions were made with masks and hand sanitizer being offered. Guests at the ceremony included Mayor Richard O’Brien, Vice Mayor Luis Uribe, Councilmember Cindy Fosi, Councilmember Cal Campbell, City Manager Sean Scully, Assistant City Manager Marisela Garcia, Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, both families of the officers listed, and other community members.

The Mayor offered a few words to begin the ceremony. Chief Ridenour expressed how amazed he was that someone so young – Timpone – would want to do something like a police memorial plaque and how appreciative he was. Ridenour thanked all involved that assisted with financial support and for being there. Timpone stepped up and said a few words as he faced the crowd including family members of the officers listed on the plaque.

“I would like to thank the city, the city manager, the chief and the sheriff department,” noted Timpone. “They have made this process so welcoming and they have been supportive the entire time. I would like to thank my parents, my troop, my scoutmaster Eddie, if anyone knows how stressful and how long this process was; they do. I would like to give a special thanks to Chief Erin Kiely because he was the one that really sparked my interest in law enforcement and got me to this point. I would like to thank both the families for being here, it means a lot to me and I am so thankful that we were able to do this. I know that both these officers made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Timpone originally brought the idea about the plaque as his final Eagle project to former RPS Chief Erin Kiely. He first met Kiely at the Junior Police Academy held at RPS where he learned what law enforcement did and what they represented. His interest grew from there. Currently he is an Explorer with Modesto Police Department.

“I think going to that police academy, it sparked my interest and so for this project I wanted to do something meaningful to me and something that represented the sacrifice that they make especially right now,” added Timpone. “I am so thankful that I was able to do this and I am so thankful it is here because I have always had a connection to this department.”

The project from the idea to completion and placed on the RPS building took approximately two years. The construction of the plaque took about three months. Boy Scout Timpone, with Troop 1100, raised all the funds to complete the project. 

“Thank you to everyone that is here today,” stated Timpone at the ceremony. “It has been a long time coming. I just knew I wanted to do something for law enforcement for my last project. For me law enforcement has always had a special place in my heart.”

Vice Mayor Uribe said a few words expressing that people were at the event to remember and honor the fallen officers as well as grieve with the families.

With 12 years in the Boy Scouts, Timpone remarked that there are several benefits to being a scout like learning life skills, people skills, and maturity. He said all the things learned can help in the future. One of his favorite things to do in the scouts was the camping trips and enjoying the outdoors. The most difficult badge for him to attain was the search and rescue; however, it is also one of the badges he liked earning the most as well as first aid.

Recently a graduate from Enochs, Timpone is attending Point Loma Nazarene University and plans to pursue a career in either law enforcement or the medical field.

“I am glad that we could make it happen,” summarized Timpone. “The most important people are here like the families of the officers and I am glad to dedicate this to them and the officers.”

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The memorial plaque was mounted outside the doors of Riverbank Police Services as Chief Ed Ridenour and Boy Scout Joey Timpone proudly stand next to it and take a moment for a photo during the dedication on Oct. 19. VIRGINIA STILL/THE NEWS