Actor in ‘Rocky IV’ Has a Regular Role as Officer Safety’s Sidekick

Remember the Russian’s sparring partner in “Rocky IV,” the one who gets knocked out in a scene that takes just four seconds?

Meet 6-foot-3, 215-pound Seal Beach police officer Rick Papp, who is also an actor and former boxer, two reasons he was selected for the movie part.

Actually, Papp, 36, would rather you remember him as the straight man for his dummy, Officer Safety. Together, the two present safety programs for children and adults countywide.

“This isn’t a side show but a professional act to get a safety message across to both kids and adults,” Papp said. “Officer Safety is the star of the program because kids, especially, don’t forget what he tells them. In fact, they relate better to him than me. They don’t take their eyes off of him.”

What Papp pushes to children is respect for authorities, such as crossing guards, and tips for self-protection, such as not talking to strangers. For adults, his message is deeper, stressing the use of seat belts, not drinking and driving and locking home doors and windows.

He recently filmed television commercials with Officer Safety--who wears a police uniform and, for special occasions, a tuxedo--warning against drinking and driving. He also plans to participate with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) in other programs aimed at driving safety.

“We’ve been using Officer Safety for only a few months, but we’re getting a good response from groups that like the positive approach we take,” Papp said. “The project is long term, one that will eventually get children to practice safety and feel they can trust a policeman.”

Said Police Chief Stacy T. Picascia, who swore in Officer Safety in an office ceremony: “It’s a medium to get through to children, and it’s a good way to get them to learn and practice safety.”

Papp said ventriloquists Paul Winchell and Edger Bergen sparked his interest in the trade.

“Actually, I bought a book when I was in the sixth grade and learned from that how to throw my voice and how to use a dummy,” said Papp, who started by performing in churches and schools.

“I love to see the reactions of the kids when I bring Officer Safety in a suitcase,” said Papp, an eight-year police veteran who once walked a beat in Seal Beach.

He said the “little ones are special. I always tell them to wave if they see a policeman.”

Carole Kulok, 41, of Cypress, who gave up smoking during the Great American Smokeout, has now completed two full months without cigarettes and without gaining weight.

Raymond E. (Earl) Cunningham of Laguna Beach said it was a surprise to be named “Honored Patriot of the Year” and selected to ride in the March 1 Laguna Beach Patriots Day parade.

“It hit me by surprise,” said Cunningham, more commonly called “Earl the Pearl,” who is commander of American Legion Post 222. “But it doesn’t surprise me about patriotism. I think it’s coming back.”

He said membership in the Laguna Beach post is increasing, but no thanks to Vietnam veterans.

“For some reason, the Vietnam vet just doesn’t join us (American Legion) on the West Coast,” said Cunningham, who served during World War II in the Army Air Force, “although they’re joining us in the Midwest and East Coast.”

Cunningham, 72, wishes they would change their minds. “We need some younger veterans here,” he said. “We need new blood. We’re all getting old.”

Couples getting divorced often need professional help to cope, but so do their children, says Patrick J. Murphy, a Tustin marriage, family and child counselor who has put together a five-week group therapy session for children called Helping Kids Through Divorce.

“We restrict it to children ages 7 to 12,” said Murphy, 35. “That’s the high-risk ages, and what we do is try to help them cope better with divorce through storytelling and role playing. We encourage them to talk about the divorce and what it means to them.”

Murphy said the group session concept for children is new, “but it’s time has come.”

Acknowledgments--Villa Park resident Frank J. De Santis, 53, owner of pizza parlors, was elected president of the Orange County American Renaissance Foundation, founded in 1981 to preserve the cultural roots of the 100,000 Americans of Italian descent in Orange County.