SALT & LIGHT AWARD DINNER

Salt & Light Award Dinner

Tuesday, October 10th

Dinner: 6:30 pm

Nation Cowboy & Western
Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73111

Bob A. Ricks was born in Houston, Texas. He received his Bachelor degree from Baylor University in 1967, and his Juris Doctorate from Baylor Law School in 1969, where he was an editor for The Baylor Law Review. He immediately began his law enforcement career, serving over 47 years. In the FBI, he rose from the position of Special Agent to Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI for Oklahoma. He supervised the FBI’s most widely-known undercover operation “ABSCAM,” which led to the conviction of one U.S. Senator and six Congressmen. During his time with the FBI, he was detailed to the Drug Enforcement Administration where he served as Chief Counsel and Senior Inspector. Also, during his career with the FBI, he founded the New Jersey Terrorism Task Force in 1985, which led to multiple arrests of domestic terrorists responsible for scores of bombings in the United States. As Deputy Assistant Director, he was responsible for all FBI investigations of domestic and international terrorists. He was appointed by President Reagan to head up “Operation Goldenrod,” which resulted in the first extra-territorial rendition of an international terrorist. He helped lead the U.S. response to the downing of Pan Am 103. In 1993, he was the press spokesman and coordinator of negotiators during the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco and served as the initial Incident Commander of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

In October 1995, Mr. Ricks was appointed Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and Cabinet Secretary for Safety and Security. In 2002, he was appointed the first Director of Homeland Security for the State of Oklahoma by Governor Frank Keating, following the events of 9-11.

Following eight years of service with the Department of Public Safety, Mr. Ricks was hired as the Chief of Police for the City of Edmond in October 2003. During his tenure with the Edmond Police Department, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Under his leadership, the Edmond Police Department was able to build a new state-of-the-art police facility that will serve the needs of Edmond for at least the next 50 years. He retired from the Police Department this past February after 13 years. During his law enforcement career, Mr. Ricks always emphasized to those whom he led that one should always put God first, family second and their careers third in that order to be successful.

He is an active member of Henderson Hills Baptist Church where he taught juniors and seniors in the Youth Ministry for over 10 years; an active member of Edmond Noon Rotary where he reads weekly to a second-grade class at Ida Freeman Elementary; is currently President of the Committee of 100; and is a Board Member of the Emergency Responders Assistance Program, which gives assistance to first responders who have experienced traumatic incidents. He is also serving on the Boards of Directors for the Oklahoma Golf Association and Oak Tree Country Club. He is a former board member of WINGS, an organization dedicated to building a community for adults with special needs, and a former member of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. He is a Life Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); a member of IACP’s Homeland Security Committee; and a former Chairman of the Metro Area Chiefs’ Association. Mr. Ricks is also a Ronald Reagan Alumni Association member; Former Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle District; is a member of Baylor University’s Ex-Lettermen’s Association; a member of the Ex-Agents Association of the FBI; and is an Honorary Member of the FBI National Academy Associates. Bob has been married to Janis for 33 years, and is the proud father of two married children and five grandchildren, all of who know and love Christ!