Richard Bruce Breckinridge, 69, of Brookfield and formerly of LaGrange Park, died on May 25, 2017.
Born on Aug.31, 1947, Mr. Breckinridge served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and was a security police-sentry dog handler.
He would go on to a more than 30-year career in law enforcement, rising to the post deputy police chief in LaGrange Park prior to retiring in 2004. Mr. Breckinridge was a member of the Illinois Police Association, a life member of the Western Springs VFW and a member of the LaGrange American Legion.
He was also a 20-year member of the Illinois Wing, Civil Air Patrol; a former Eagle Scout, Oak Lawn Troop 682, Boy Scouts of America; a former volunteer at Brookfield Zoo; and a former volunteer firefighter for the North Palos Fire Protection District.
Mr. Breckinridge enjoyed amateur radio (WA9BXB), fishing, wine collecting and Civil War history.
He was the brother of Ronald L. (Linda) Breckinridge, the late David T. (Virginia) Breckinridge and Bettye J. (Glenn) Burnett and was an uncle and great-uncle to many.
Services have been held. Interment was at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery.
The family appreciates memorials to the V.M.I. Foundation at Virginia Military Institute, 304 Letcher Ave., Lexington, Virginia, 24450.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
