Leonard Riggins, a 15-year veteran of the St. Louis Fire Department, was shot and killed last Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, by a motorist he had stopped to help. Riggins, 52, leaves behind to mourn him his wife, Donita Riggins; sons Antwan Banks and Leonard Riggins Jr.; and a large number of friends and colleagues. Former Fire Chief Sherman George will deliver these remarks this morning (Thursday, Nov. 13) at Firefighter Riggins’ funeral services.
Firefighter Leonard Riggins was many things to many people. He was a man of God, a minister, a husband and a father.
If you knew Leonard Riggins, you knew an individual who first knew God. You knew an individual who had a great sense of pride n pride in himself, pride in his family and pride in his profession.
I recall meeting Leonard during tenure with the City Parks Department. He often talked to me about his desire to become a firefighter. After serving more than 15 years with the Parks Department, Leonard’s dream of becoming a firefighter finally came true in 1993.
Leonard had a dream for himself, and he did not allow anything or any circumstances to deter him from fulfilling his dream. I was proud to have him as a part of my staff during my tenure as chief of the St. Louis Fire Department. You could always count on Leonard to perform beyond expectations, because he took such pride in himself and his profession.
The Bible warns us about pride and the potential pitfalls it can bring. However, Leonard’s display of pride was not one of arrogance or boastfulness, but one of humility. He set an example for his family, friends and co-workers.
He put his all into whatever he did. Whenever he wore the uniform that he longed to wear, he made sure it was fully starched and pressed to “the max.” When you passed Leonard, you had to look at yourself to make sure your stuff was in order.
When it came to his family, he took great pride in the loving relationships he built with his wife and sons, relationships that I know will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind.
Leonard personified the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. St. Luke Chapter 10 speaks of a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, who robbed and beat him and left him near dead. A priest traveling down the road saw the man laying there and crossed to the other side. Then a Levite came, and he too crossed to the other side of the road. But a Samaritan came along and saw the man; the Samaritan had compassion and bound his wounds, set him upon his own beast and carried the man to a nearby inn, took care of him and paid his bill.
We are each commissioned by our heavenly Father to do likewise. Leonard understood this. He would never detour from an opportunity to help someone in need. He would always lend a hand of friendship and compassion. As we all know, he lost his life senselessly in an effort to assist his fellow man.
When it came to others, Leonard gave of himself freely. It was his concern for others and his commitment to duty that drew him to his fate last Wednesday night. Like so many others, he could have simply kept going. Had he done so, more than likely he would still be here today. But Leonard could not pass by another human being if he thought they were in need of help.
Like the Good Samaritan that he was, Leonard, by impulse, would be the one to bind your wound, carry you on his back if necessary and see that your needs were met. Every individual was Leonard Riggins’ neighbor; every individual was an extension of himself.
Leonard lived the words of Christ in St. Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 30 and 31: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment. And the second is…Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There are none other commandment greater than these.”
Mrs. Riggins and family, please know that I share deeply in your loss today. My prayers are with you. Please, do not hesitate to call upon me if I can be of any assistance.
I am honored to have known Leonard.
God bless you!