USFK officer recognized for service here

Ricky Oxendine, director of emergency services at the U.S. military base in Yongsan, Seoul, poses with National Police Agency (NPA) Commissioner Kang Sin-myeong after receiving a letter of appreciation for his services in Korea at the NPA headquarters, Thursday. / Courtesy of National Police Agency

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Ricky Oxendine, 56, director of emergency services at the U.S. military base in Yongsan, Seoul, has received a letter of appreciation from the Korean police for his services in Korea.

Appointed to the 8th Army in November 1998, Oxendine has served in Korea for 16 years and 7 months.

National Police Agency (NPA) Commissioner Kang Sin-myeong presented the letter to Oxendine at the NPA headquarters in Seoul on Thursday.

During his service here, Oxendine has provided assistance for a number of police investigations into U.S. soldiers in Korea.

In March 2013, three U.S. soldiers ran away after shooting BB guns at civilians in Itaewon and hid inside the Yongsan base.

With Oxendine’s support, the Korean police managed to arrest the soldiers.

In June last year, Oxendine also helped police investigate a group of U.S. soldiers who allegedly attacked a 41-year-old citizen on a bicycle in front of the base.

Oxendine provided surveillance camera footages installed inside the USFK base to identify the suspects.

When former U.S. President George W. Bush and current President Barack Obama visited Korea, Oxendine also helped police arrange security services.

On every Christmas Eve since 2007, Oxendine has participated in the so-called “Operation Santa Express” to show appreciation to those who relinquish their holidays for others.

He has dressed as Santa Claus and given snacks to conscripted policemen patrolling around the Yongsan base.

Oxendine leaves Korea for Colorado, his next post of duty, on June 14.