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Chief Ranger Richard Allen “Rick” Greer (1952-2025)

️Thu Mar 06 2025

Rick was born on June 27, 1952 to Charles and Christine (Graham) Greer. He attended Harrison High School.

After High School, Rick joined the United State Army to fight in the Vietnam War.

Rick joined the Hamilton County Park Rangers in 1975. He was quickly promoted to Sergeant in 1979. Within two years, he was promoted to Assistant Chief as a Captain on January 8, 1981. Then, only two more years, he was promoted to Colonel and Chief Ranger in 1983.

In November 1986, he reactivated the Mounted Patrol that had been disestablished ten years earlier. Chief Greer graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. In August 1990, the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and distributors named his department the Best Dressed Specialized Agency in the United States. The Ohio Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates named Chief Greer Officer of the Year in November in 1990 based on a Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Police Achievement and Accomplishment Award and the aforenoted uniform award.

Chief Greer was also elected President of the Hamilton County Police Association in 1990. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accredited the department in 1995 and re-accredited in 1998. In May 1996, he earned the Superior Achievement in Police Leadership Award during police week banquet. The Ohio Attorney General selected Chief Greer in October 2001 for the Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award. In April 2003, the Hamilton County Police Association gave him their Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a long-time member of the Hamilton County Police Association Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Chief Greer retired from the Park District at the end of 2004.

On January 3, 2005, Sheriff Richard Jones swore him in as Captain of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. Nine years later, he semiretired and worked at the rank of Specialist. From May 2017 through to the end of the year, he worked as a Special Deputy. He finally retired from law enforcement on December 31, 2017 with 42 years of service to the people of two counties.

Chief Range Greer died after a prolonged illness on March 4, 2025 at the age of 72.

He was predeceased by his sister, Judy Vaughn, and brother-in-law, Jerry Caudill. Chief Greer is survived by his wife of 26 years, Nancy (Montague) Greer; children, Trampas Greer, Cole (Nicole) Greer, and Spencer Greer; grandchildren, Adalynn Greer, Landon Greer, Colton Greer, and Piper Greer; and siblings, Robert (Buella) Greer, Jane Caudill, Susan (Donald) Heiland.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at The Woodlands, 9680 Cilley Road in Cleves. A memorial service with honors will begin at 3:30 p.m.