Former Deputy Convicted in Assault Cases Removed From Police Chaplain Role
A former San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy convicted in a criminal case involving women he encountered while on duty has now been removed from his role as a police chaplain, just days after his appointment drew renewed public scrutiny.
Richard “Ricky” Fischer had been serving as a chaplain with the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship, a San Diego-based Christian organization that provides spiritual support and counseling to members of the law enforcement community. On Tuesday, September 1, Fischer was removed from that position, according to NBC 7 San Diego.
Fischer pleaded guilty in 2019 to seven criminal counts, including four felony counts of assault and battery under color of authority, two misdemeanor counts of assault by an officer and one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment. Prosecutors said the case involved 16 women Fischer encountered while working as a sheriff’s deputy, including women who had called law enforcement for help.
The allegations included unwanted touching and sexual misconduct while Fischer was on duty. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in custody following his plea, although he ultimately served significantly less time after issues involving the calculation of custody credits.
The case also led to extensive civil litigation. San Diego County taxpayers ultimately paid approximately $9.5 million to settle 21 civil lawsuits connected to allegations against Fischer, while the county also spent additional money on outside legal counsel.
Fischer’s recent appointment as a chaplain sparked criticism after Voice of San Diego reported that he had joined the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship. The organization’s president, retired San Diego Police Capt. Jerry Hara, initially defended Fischer’s role as part of a story of religious redemption and said Fischer would minister only to male officers.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office had already distanced itself from Fischer, saying he was terminated from the department in February 2019 and that his criminal conduct was unacceptable for any department member.
Sheriff Kelly Martinez also asked that a photograph of her be removed from the fellowship’s website after learning it was being used there.
The latest development marks a rapid reversal for the fellowship, with Fischer going from a newly publicized chaplain position to being removed from the role within days of the controversy gaining widespread attention.
619 News Media | September 1, 2026
EDITOR'S NOTE: Well, this story gave me the creeps.
Back in late 2015, I had fired my contractor for stealing from me. He refused to leave my property and he called the police to report me for trying to remove him from "his property." (You can't make this stuff up).
This officer came and separated us to different areas of the property because the contractor had gone ballistic and was following me around screaming profanities at me. The officer finally got the contractor to leave. I thanked the deputy and he also left . . . end of story.
Later that evening, I was out at the barn mucking corrals by myself with the barn lights on. The dogs were locked up as to not bother the horses while I was working. My phone was in the house.
This officer stepped out of the darkness and scared me to death. He told me that I wasn't answering my phone and he was concerned for my well being and had come to check on me. (He had climbed over my fence.) When can you recall has a deputy ever returned to the scene of an earlier call and entered the property without permission?
I thought it was very strange at the time. But seeing this photo, I realize that I could have been in more peril than I realized.
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