Richard A. “Rick” Koziana

Richard A. “Rick” Koziana of Keysville, VA, passed away at his home on April 21, 2024.  He was born on December 18, 1947, to Lillian Brinkley Byrum of South Norfolk.

Rick is survived by his best friend and loving wife of over thirty years, Brenda Davis Koziana; his daughter, Shelly Koziana of Suffolk, VA; three brothers, James Koziana (deceased), Vince Koziana of AZ, Tony Koziana of MD; sister, Maria Koziana of AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rick served in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a paratrooper Sgt with the 173 ^rd Airborne Brigade attached to the 82 ^nd Airborne Division. He was a decorated combat veteran earning the Bronze Star, Air Medal and two Purple Hearts.  He was most proud of his Combat Infantryman Badge and paratrooper wings.  In his professional life he was a police detective with the city of Chesapeake and City of Virginia Beach before retiring in 1992 due to wounds he received while serving as an undercover detective in 1974.  In 1980, Rick, along with his partner and friend, Detective Richard Anderson, were featured in a Reader’s Digest article that told their heroic story of being shot in the line of duty.  For their actions, they were awarded the Honor Legion Award from the National Police Hall of Fame.  Rick was awarded the Chesapeake Police Officer of the Year Award in 1974, Man of the Year from the South Norfolk Eagles Lodge in 1973 and Virginia Beach Victim Witness Detective of the Year, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Rick had a love for all animals, especially the dogs he shared with Brenda.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Albert J. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, located at 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Meherrin SPCA or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of arrangements.