LAKEPORT ?Barbara LaForge was brutally murdered in broad daylight on Lakeport”s Main Street nearly seven years ago. The case remains unsolved. Lakeport Police Department (LPD) now brings to the table the seasoned homicide investigator, Louis A. Riccardi.
“The police department was familiar with his experience and approached him to see if he would be interested in this job,” Lt. Brad Rasmussen said.
Riccardi has 30 years experience in law enforcement in San Mateo, 20 years for the county and 10 years for the San Mateo District Attorneys office. Since his retirement Riccardi has worked in private executive protection for high-profile clients.
Advances in technology and forensics bring renewed hope and possibility to solving the cold-case murder.
“After reviewing the case, I probably would not have done anything differently than was done as far as the initial investigation is concerned. It was done properly,” Riccardi said. He says that he will bring a fresh set of eyes to the investigation and a different background. He has worked on more than 100 homicides during the course of his career.
Riccardi is an instructor of ICI Homicide courses at San Jose State University. His specialized training includes: POST instructors symposium, narcotic investigation, bomb and explosive specialized surveillance equipment, advanced officers training in homicide And robbery, officer safety/field tactics, special weapons/tactics, trained with San Jose Police Department”s MERGE unit (SWAT). Additionally he belongs to California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA), California Homicide Investigators Association (CHIA), California Robbery Investigator”s Association (CRIA) past-president and member of the executive board of directors.
There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for the death of LaForge. Riccardi and Destry Henderson, who was interviewed by a panel of experienced law enforcement administrators from outside agencies are conducting the investigation. To contact Riccardi or Henderson call 263-9653, a line designated to the LaForge investigation. By e-mail, contact lriccardi@lakeportpolice.org or dhenderson@lakeportpolice.org. LPD encourages community involvement during the investigation process.
