Donald Thomas “D.T.” Richardson, Sr., age 52, of Benton, passed away at 4:03 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Tuesday at the Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 North Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
Funeral arrangements are through the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.
Donald Thomas Richardson was born July 21, 1963 in Anaheim, CA, the son of Walter Tom Richardson and Sara Sue (Bassett) Richardson. He married the former Christine Marie Tasky on May 21, 2011 and she survives.
D.T. was a Police officer with the Benton Police Department and was a Firefighter with the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District.
D.T. began his career in law enforcement with the Energy Police Department, he would later become Chief of Police in Crainville. His career in law enforcement would later take him to Christopher Police Department before he would become employed as a Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff Department, where he was employed for 24 years. After retiring from the Sheriff Department, D.T. became Chief of Police at Sesser. After serving as Chief of Police in Sesser, D.T. was appointed interim Fire Chief with the City of Benton Fire Department. After his tenure as Fire Chief, D.T. became a police officer with the City of Benton where he was currently employed.
In 2001 D.T. served as an International Police Officer with the United Nations Defense in Kosovo.
He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his friends and law enforcement and firefighter families. He loved his pugs.
Christine said he was a good husband, father and friend.
D.T. is survived by his wife Christine Richardson of Benton; his mother Sara Vancil of Benton; a son Donald Thomas “Tommy” Richardson, Jr. of LaSalle, IL; two grandchildren; a step-son John Bryan Tasky and wife Heather of West Frankfort; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Nancy Tasky of Benton; a brother Robert Eugene Richardson and wife Lisa of Largo, FL; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kim and Mike Mandrell of Benton; brother-in-law William David Tasky of West Frankfort; special friends Dave and Shelley Webb of Ewing; an Aunt Laura of Florida; several nieces and nephews; and his law enforcement and firefighter family.
He was preceded in death by his father; his foster parent Jerry Gass; a brother-in-law Bruce Tasky; his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District, and will be accepted on Tuesday at the church.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of D.T., visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
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