Memoriam

Richard Rudy Raczkoski, known as “Raz” by his family and friends, was born October 30, 1956, in Tampa, Florida to Rudy and Marion Raczkoski. Richard was the oldest of two sons. Raz was joined by a younger brother, Marc Richard Raczkoski in 1963.

The Raczkoski family moved to St. Lucie County in 1952. Richard attended St. Anastasia Catholic School, John Carroll High School and Indian River Community College.

Raz's interest in law enforcement was sparked by friendships he developed with two Florida Highway Patrol officers while working for the Florida Turnpike System in Fort Pierce. Richard was not the first law enforcement officer in the family. His mother's father, Richard's grandfather, was a motorcycle policeman in Glen Falls, New York.

In 1979 Raz began his 8 year-law enforcement career. Raz was employed by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office from January 1979 to July 1981. While at the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Richard was a Jail Corporal, and an Auxiliary Patrolman. Richard received a commendation for an incident where a prisoner escaped and he went after him on foot, recaptured and returned the escapee to prison.

During Richard's career he had the following training:

• Certification of completion and compliance in Corrections
• Auxiliary Officer Certification / FL
• Certificate of Compliance in Law Enforcement / FL
• Certified Breathalyzer
• Training certificate for Radar Operator Training
• Crime Scene Procedure / Law Enforcement
• Tactical Driving
• PR-24 Basic Baton
• Line Supervision for Law Enforcement Officers
• Instructors Techniques for Law Enforcement Officers
• Certificate of Completion Police Photography

Richard was pursuing courses and training to help him move toward the criminal investigations area of law enforcement.

Richard had many varied interests. He enjoyed motorcycles, auto mechanics, boats, fishing and was a certified scuba diver. In addition to working as a deputy and continuing his training, he also worked with his dad painting houses.

Richard has a surviving son, Matthew, who was born after his death. Matthew lives in South Carolina with his mother, Brenda Schurman.

On May 3, 1987, at a special medal of Valor Presentation Dinner, Corporal Richard Rudy Raczkoski was posthumously awarded a Medal of Valor by the International Police Association for his dedication and act of bravery as a law enforcement officer.

Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow was born May 09, 1978, in Syracuse, New York to Terry and Catherine Sweeting. She grew up in Oswego, New York with her older sister, Lilly.

She graduated from Oswego High School in 1996, and in 2000, earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Public Justice from Oswego State University. After graduation, Terri moved to Indian River County, Florida.

Terri started her career with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in November of 2000, as a Public Safety Dispatcher. She later decided she wanted to be on the other end of the radio, so she attended the police academy at Indian River State College and graduated with Class #90. As of 2003, Terri was a sworn deputy sheriff.

Terri excelled as a deputy and quickly became a field training officer. Terri was street savvy and could navigate the toughest calls and the loudest suspects. She was firm in her enforcement of the law, but what earned her the respect, even of those she arrested, was that Terri was fair. Tough on the outside but a tender heart and a soft spot for the downtrodden. Make no mistake, her tender heart and kindness were never to be mistaken for weakness. Terri was a cop’s cop and would get down to business anytime she needed to. She transferred to the Civil Unit in 2023.

In her 25 years of service, Terri was recognized with many awards, including :

• Lifesaving in 2008
• Honorable Service in 2015
• Exceptional Duty in 2019
• The Grand Cordon in 2020
• Going the Extra Mile in both 2020 and 2021
• Law Enforcement Deputy of the Quarter in 2023
• Community Service Award in 2023
• Sworn Services recognition ribbon in 2025
• Hurricane Milton service ribbon in 2025

She was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Medal of Honor, and the Combat Cross.

But the award that cannot be put on a medal or ribbon, is the trust she earned from the community and the respect she earned from her Indian River County Sheriff’s Office family.

Outside of work, Terri enjoyed watching the love of her heart, her daughter, play softball. She also liked outdoor activities and had an unmatched love for dogs. In addition to working as a deputy, she was also a certified paralegal.

Terri is survived by her daughter Haylee, her husband KC, her mother Catherine, her step-son Jordan, and her sisters Lilly and Nona.