Richard A. “Rick” Koziana of Keysville, VA, passed away at his home on April 21, 2024. He was born on December 18, 1947, to Lillian Brinkley Byrum of South Norfolk.
Rick is survived by his best friend and loving wife of over thirty years, Brenda Davis Koziana; his daughter, Shelly Koziana of Suffolk, VA; three brothers, James Koziana (deceased), Vince Koziana of AZ, Tony Koziana of MD; sister, Maria Koziana of AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rick served in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a paratrooper Sgt with the 173rd Airborne Brigade attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a decorated combat veteran earning the Bronze Star, Air Medal and two Purple Hearts. He was most proud of his Combat Infantryman Badge and paratrooper wings. In his professional life he was a police detective with the city of Chesapeake and City of Virginia Beach before retiring in 1992 due to wounds he received while serving as an undercover detective in 1974. In 1980, Rick, along with his partner and friend, Detective Richard Anderson, were featured in a Reader’s Digest article that told their heroic story of being shot in the line of duty. For their actions, they were awarded the Honor Legion Award from the National Police Hall of Fame. Rick was awarded the Chesapeake Police Officer of the Year Award in 1974, Man of the Year from the South Norfolk Eagles Lodge in 1973 and Virginia Beach Victim Witness Detective of the Year, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Rick had a love for all animals, especially the dogs he shared with Brenda.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Albert J. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, located at 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Meherrin SPCA or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of arrangements.
Condolence Messages
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Cathy and Pat Gough
Dear Shelly, our hearts and prayers are going out to you and your family. Your Dad was an inspiration and a great man. He will be missed. Hugs sweet friend.
Barry L. Tiller
Forever a great friend… RIP and God Bless the Family.
Kenny Miller
Rick was my partner and a great friend, I thought I was a good Detective, working with Rick was a learning experience he forgot more than I knew and I was happy he was willing to teach me. Brenda Shelly please know I’m here for you, GOD blessed me with him as my friend and brother.
janice major
My condolences to the family. Rick was a kind soul and I am so sorry he had to endure all the nasty thing that came his way in this life. He is forever loved.
Prayers for comfort and peace.
Joy, Scott & Dee Crawford
Our heart goes out to you for the loss of Rick. I hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time. Sending love, thoughts and prayers!
Volpe Boykin
Great guy, police detective and fearless. I had the honor of working on several cases with him when I was a Norfolk officer. They do not come better than Rick.
Andy Black
If you look-up “One HELL of a man,” you’ll find a picture of Rick. Rest easy, Kozi; it was a honor to know you.
George and Kay Schucker
George and I both knew Rick! He was a great guy and well respected by everyone in law-enforcement.! He was friendly. He could be very funny and he was one of what I called “The good guys “…. He will be missed by MANY! Our Prayers are with everyone who Cared about him, especially his Family!
George Register
It was my good fortune to partner with Rick while working as detectives for CPD. He was always rock steady and dependable with a finely tuned BS meter. We also spent time cutting firewood with Tommy H. and it never seemed like hard work because we always managed to have fun. Rick never let me forget the incident where a vicious dachshund broke thru a screen door and latched onto my backside….Rick’s laughter was louder than my calling him for assistance…….RIP brother
Judy Neurauter
it’s with a heavy and sad heart to know that Rick is gone from Brenda, his family and friends. He and Brenda were always a light in my day and put a smile on my face, when they’d come to Sheldon’s Restaurant regularly, when I worked there. They felt like family to me. May his memory fill the emptiness of his to soon departure from our lives and fill our hearts with his inspiring love for life, family and especially his loving devotion for his sweet Brenda. May she find strength in knowing, she had a love most of us only dream of…and so did he.
Ann Okeefe
Shelly, I am so sorry for your loss, thinking of you!
Julia Kurdt
Brenda, I so sorry for your loss. You and Rick were a wonderful, loving couple. I know you will miss him so very much. Sending hugs.
DEBORAH A VANCE
Brenda…John and I are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I never knew him well, but reading his obit & the comments from friends, as one put it…he was one hell of a man ! We will keep you in our prayers as you go through this most difficult time. Debbie