RICHARD ENTRIKEN MURDERED
1st Step Sober House Founder Richard Entriken
"Richard's dream will be kept alive. I am not going to let those lowlifes win.
The torch has been passed and will not go out... When I look at Richard,
he was my mentor...but he was my hero, he was my hero." - Chris Doherty
SENTINEL:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbadvocate0127sbjan27,0,6956317.story
HERALD:
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/395160.html
A former military man, doing his part to help improve the lives others, was robbed and shot shortly after midnight at the recovery house he operated in Pompano Beach.
On Saturday, January 26, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the First Step Sober House, a two-story home at 450 SW 2 Street, in reference to several shots fired at approximately 12:30 a.m. The victim, 60-year-old Richard Entriken, was found outside and transported to North Broward Medical Center where he later died.
BSO homicide detectives said Entriken co-owned and worked at the residential substance and alcohol abuse recovery facility daily and was preparing to leave when he was approached by three men who robbed and shot him in the parking lot. Witnesses described the suspects as three black males, believed to be in their late 20’s to early 30’s. They fled the scene in a dark blue or black compact, newer model, possibly 4-door, foreign-made vehicle with dark tinted windows. BSO investigators are not disclosing how much money was taken, but said it was a substantial amount.
Entriken, a recipient of the Purple Heart medal, lived in Sunrise with his wife (not sure if they have any children). Anyone with information on the identity and/or whereabouts of the suspects is urged to call BSO Homicide Detective Frank Ilarraza at (954) 765-4321 or call Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (954) 493-TIPS or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
- INVESTIGATORS: Homicide Dets. F. Ilarraza & D. Ellwood, RID; Homicide Sgt. K. Kaminsky, RID
- THIS REPORT BY: Veda Coleman-Wright/PIO Pompano Beach January 26, 2008 1335
http://www.sheriff.org/about_bso/admin/media/newsdetails.cfm?pk=2416&sType=M
what is this world coming to?
RIP, Richard.
now i know why the helis were flying over lyons park...sick...sad...in shock...tears...RIP and Godbless you for all hope the kindess you showed
For someone who gave so much to have his life ripped away is horrible! I hope that the three stupid men, that felt that this was the "thing" to do, rot when they get to Hell, because that is definitely where they are going!
Very sad. This man gave so much of himself. Everyone that knew him thought well of him.
Here is the deal. Two of my clients were there at the time. This is a little long winded so be prepared to read. Friday night was medallion night at FSSH. There were about 400 alumni there as well as the current residents. Friday is also "lent" night at first step. The people at the meeting give money to help support the program. Medallion night is always big there, but it was especially big this time because Richard was celebrating his 60th birthday and his 16th year sober.
After the meeting on lent night, Richard would take the money collected to his car. He would have 4 people with him because some people tried to rob him last year. As Richard was walking out with his partner(not a gay thing) and 2 others, 3 guys came up to him with guns drawn.
Richard immediately handed over the money. Once the money was handed over, the guy who took the money shot Richard once in the stomatch and twice in the head. Some other shots were fired, but the shoots weren't directed at anybody in particular. Just firing in the vacinity of people to either A) scare them off or
I don't get upset about things often, but Richard was a great guy. When I didn't know what the f--k I was doing on my first felony drug case, Richard said "hey, send him to me." 4 years later, that guy is still sober. I keep in touch with him. When a kid from my church was in legal trouble regarding drugs, Richard had no room at the house. Richard made room for the kid. That kid picked up his 1 year medallion last night. One of my clients was an absolutely hopeless case. Richard convinced Judge Cohen to give my client a third chance at rehab.
Did Richard have a shady past? Yea. So what? So do I. Last night in his speech regarding his 16th year sober Richard allegedly said "My life has turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I have been fortunate enough to be able to help thousands of people. If I died tonight, I would die a happy man."
Richard, I will miss you. You are in a better place. Rest in peace.
Our hearts are broken, Richard. We will miss you. Thank you for being a father figure to so many.
To a better place, no doubt.
Love ya Richard
Thank you Richard. Miss ya pal. You were always there to help everyone.
I'm sorry to hear of Richard's death. He will be remembered for all that he was. I don't know if he has any family, but all our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow.
A nicer person at the Courthouse you couldn't find. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
though i didnt know him personally (met him once or twice in court), im very sorry to hear about this and my prayers are with him, his family, anybody he helped, and anybody who loved or respected him. We should be thankful that God (or whomever runs this place) put a man like this in the world. And from reading the comments and other article, we should strive to be even a fraction of that man he was. The world would then be a better place.
With regard to his family Richard had a wife and, I think, two daughters. I've heard that the wife is holding it together. Not doing well, but holding it togther.
I only hope that he rests in peace and the work he did helping people get sober lives on throughout time...senseless death to a man who had one of the biggest hearts i know...cherish everyday as if it were your last because you never know...
We are all going to miss you Rich. I will never forget you. You planted the seed. And its still growing. Your spirit will remain with us forever. Love you man!
Richard truly was a good Man. He helped My Son become and stay Sober back in 2002. When My Son "fell" again this Year, He and Chris both came to court on seperate occasions to convince the Judge that My Son could be sober again, and that They would accept Him into Their program..... without blinking an eye or judging Him. He truly was an Angel from Heaven, and now, He has gone Home......He leaves behind a legacy, and He will be missed so very much by many....My heart and prayers go out to His Family.....may He rest in peace.....
Everybody loved this guy. Judges too. What a sickening waste to one of the few who cared.
How sad. He was such a nice guy
his memory will never die. it's in all of us he worked with in court and the countless clients and their family members who benefitted from his work.
This is so sad, and obviously someone tipped these Guys off !! Otherwise, how would They know about the cash going out of there on that specific day ?? I hope that these thugs are found, and soon, and in the end, God will deal with these thugs in His own way........
Such a nice guy to have something like this happen. I'm very sorry for his close friends and family. My sincerest condolences.
"Death is but a silent voyage to the port of Eternity."
Senseless
You may have been tough, but many people kicked the habit good bye forever because of you. God Bless. So long Richard.
If you don't already know, there is going to be a memorial service for Rich at 8:00pm tonight at the 1st step sober house. 450 SW 2nd St. Pompano Beach. See you there!
Richard was a very warm hearted person and had compassion and care when no one else did... he will greatly missed by many... the lord neede his words of wisdom... i you only knew what he knew about you you WOULD BE EXCITED!!!
R.I.P richard
Dear Richard, his family, and everyone else at Sober House:
I pray to God that the people who did this were not any of the people I referred over there.
Thank you for all your work.
In these final remembrances, please spell his name correctly -- Entriken.
I'm his older brother. Please pardon me if I keep other thoughts to myself for now.
Dear Mr. Entriken,
I just wanted to send My condolences and prayers out to You and Your Family. Richard was a Wonderful Man, with a Huge Heart, Who helped My Son, Steven Abdelnour, through and to sobriety, more than 4 years ago....Unfortunately, He fell again, but Your Brother was willing to go to bat for Him once more. My Son, saw Him in court 2 weeks ago, and Richard told Him He would be there for Him when He got out of Jail. My Son is unable to get in touch with anybody at the Sober House, due to His incarceration, but is asking Me to send His condolences to You and Your Family also. He remembers Richards' last words to Him as He walked out of the Court Room "call Me when You get out"........and wishes that could still be true. God Bless all of You in Your time of sorrow.......Debbie Abdelnour
Not only have those who were helped with addiction lost a great mentor, those who worked with him in the criminal courts will miss his passion for life. Richard's smile and warm greetings were encouragement for all of us. He was an angel amongst us.
God Bless
Let us not forget in all of this that the two individuals that are accused of killing Richard are just as much the victims as he is. They have been forced into this life by the lack of social services and treatment for their obvious chemical addictions and should not be scorned because of what the lack of a social safety net has caused them to do.
They will hopefully be given early representation upon their incarceration and will eventually be represented by quality defense counsel such as the REAL Bill Gelin, who will hopefully get them necessary treatement and other services.
Blob and Ratboy back in action.
how you can be so insensitive and disrespectful astounds me. maybe if you had WORK to do, you wouldn't spend all of your miserable days spreading such filth. your mothers must be so proud.
i know it's hard now that all of your sucking up gets you nowhere. find a hobby, do some pro bono work...i'd say get a girlfriend but that would just be a lofty dream.
losers.
why don't you let people mourn richard and take your filty mouth elsewhere.
I'm sorry, but bullshit. I have dealt with a lot of people who have to live with a lack of needed social services and chemical addictions, and they don't do things like this. Unfortunately, there are a few, and those people are not victims, they are selfish and cold-blooded.
They should not only be scorned, but should be sent to prison for the rest of their natural lives.
Though you may feel it is proper to manipulate people into believing these anti-human people are victims too, explain where common sense and morals come into play! You can't, and that's why they deserve to rot in jail before an eternity of hell. Don't make such ludicrous comments. Richard made his own mistakes, but made up for it 1000 fold with all the people and families he helped, without expectation. Let's see any of these guys do anything like this, for that matter I don't believe you, yourself would be so selfless, to give of yourself without any expectation. HOW DARE YOU!!!
just so there's no confusion my 1st entry was directed at "Fake Bill", the second to "Treatment Center". While I'm at it, without the proper funding, faith, and obviously, putting your life on the line, if it was just about the $$$ there would be a lot less trajic ways to go about it! Case and Point!!!
HOW DARE YOU JUSTIFY WHAT THESE MEN DID TO A WONDERFUL MAN; YOU HAVE NO RIGHT