Richard Brent "Rick" Thompson, 63, of Florence, died Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

The memorial service will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in the Elkins Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Sibley officiating. A time of visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The committal service will be later at Greenview Memorial Park.

Rick was a graduate of UNA and the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.

He served as Assistant Chief of the Florence Police Department from 1983-1986 and as Chief of Police from 1986-1996. As police chief, he began the School Resource Officer program at the Florence City Schools, and the Bicycle Patrol and the Mounted Patrol for the Florence Police Department. Throughout his career, he received many awards including Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. He served as President of the Alabama Peace Officers Association and also the Alabama Police Chiefs Association.

Rick is survived by Janie Thompson, Florence; a sister Glenda Thompson Taschner and husband Andy, Florence; nieces, and great nephews and nieces; and special friends Tommy Simmons and Joanne Hall. Rick will be missed by his beloved dog, Alex.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to P.A.W.S., 2701 Mall Road, Florence , AL 35630; The Arthritis Foundation, 500 Office Park Dr., Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35223 and Coalition of Alzheimer''s and Related Disorders, P.O. Box 1608, Florence, AL 35631.