Holly MatkinColumbus, GA – Columbus Police Department (CPD) Command Sergeant Richard “Rick” McMahan died in the line of duty on Sept. 27 after suffering a heart attack while participating in the department’s wellness program.
The 59-year-old sergeant was running on a treadmill at the CPD gym at 510 East 10th Street when the medical emergency occurred, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
He was preparing for his annual physical fitness test at the time.
Sgt. McMahan served the CPD for nearly 41 years.
“Rick was a fine man, a great cop, and always good for the verbal sparring cops sometimes engage each other in,” his friend and former coworker, David Abney, wrote in a memorial tribute. “My heart goes out to the family of Rick for the tremendous loss his absence will bring to their home. Rest in Peace Good Man, your adult years here on earth was spent helping your fellow man. Your reward in Paradise awaits you!”
Sgt. McMahan, who was born in Germany, graduated from Baker High School before joining the CPD, according to his obituary.
He spent the next four decades serving and protecting his community.
“Ricky was a wonderful Christian man loved by everyone who knew him,” coworker Ed Sutcliff wrote in a memorial tribute. “I was lucky enough to have known him since high school, and was also fortunate to have called him a colleague at the Columbus Police Department. Condolences to his family, and praying they will find peace during this time of loss.”
Sgt. McMahan leaves behind his wife, Patricia, as well as his children, Lashawna and Chris, and his grandchildren, Whitney, Tristen, Kierra, and Elliot, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his siblings, nieces, and nephews.
GLFOP: 🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Sergeant Richard A. McMahan
Columbus Police Department, Georgia
EOW: Monday, September 27, 2021#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/EjqbKFoLnF
— SCFOP Lodge #31 (@scfop_31) October 18, 2021
Our condolences go out to @CPDGA and the family and friends of Sergeant Richard McMahan who suffered a heart attack and died while on duty. #LODD #EOW pic.twitter.com/hXSpVMbnZ0
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) October 18, 2021
Rest In Peace: Sergeant Richard A. McMahan. Columbus Police Department, Georgia. End of Watch Monday, September 27, 2021. @CPDGA @PoliceOne @ODMP #BlueLivesMatter #officerdown pic.twitter.com/XJnYhxhyxr
— R Cook (@retiredNCSHP) October 17, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Columbus Police Department Command Sergeant Richard “Rick” McMahan, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
