OXNARD : Retarded Citizens Assn. Honors Slain Worker
In tribute to an employee killed in last year’s shooting at an Oxnard unemployment office, the Assn. for Retarded Citizens-Ventura County has established a memorial award in his name.
Richard M. Bateman worked for the association helping people with disabilities adjust to new jobs. Bateman, 65, was one of three people shot to death last December when a gunman opened fire at the state Employment Development Department office in Oxnard. A police officer was later slain in the rampage before the gunman was killed.
“(Bateman) was an inspirational person for all of us,” said Kimberly Little, a spokeswoman for the association. “He had a desire to help people in need, and he did help a lot of us.”
During its annual awards ceremony Saturday at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, the association gave the Bateman Award to employees Clarice Lane and Karen Smith, who have “demonstrated extraordinary commitment to people with disabilities,” Little said.
The association plans to present the award annually and display a plaque with the names of recipients at its headquarters on Lewis Road in Camarillo.
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