Richard Lewis Atkins Jr. age 65 of Daytona Beach Fl. passed away suddenly on Monday January 21 2008 while in the service of the Volusia County Sheriffs Department. Dep. Atkins was born in Daytona Beach graduated from Mainland High School 1960 earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida and served his country in the US Navy. He then followed in his fathers footsteps and joined the Daytona Beach Police Department where he served and protected as a Sgt. for over 30 years. In 2001 he joined the Volusia County Sheriffs Department. Dep. Atkins was ?Active Active Active? he loved salt water fishing and boating he was a great at cooking and Barbeque but most of all a loving and devoted father as well as a mentor to his fellow officers. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his seven children: Richard L. (Stacy Cobb) Atkins III of Ormond Beach James (Dawn) Atkins of Palm Coast Robert (Melanie Hainley) Atkins Michael (Jessica) Atkins Kathy (Bill) Sullivan Joe Atkins and Kristin Gachus all of Daytona Beach; his mother Charlotte Atkins also of Daytona Beach and 5 grandchildren: Rachel Joshua Dylan Zane and Billy. Richard is preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathleen his father Richard L. Atkins Sr. his sister Linda Christianson and a son-in-law Steve Gachus. Services in his honor will be held Saturday January 26 2008 1:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church 620 South Grandview Avenue Daytona Beach Oceanside with Rev. Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff officiating. Internment will follow at Daytona Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday. January 25 2008 4-8 PM at the Lohman Funeral Daytona 1425 Bellevue Avenue Daytona Beach.