Representative E. Richard (Dickie) Drake was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in a special election in 2011.
He served 42 years in the military and is a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. During that time, he served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Representative Drake flew 102 combat sorties with over 500 hours of combat time. He has 31 military awards including: Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 4 devices; Aerial Achievement Medal with 2 devices; Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 devices; Air Force Achievement Medal with 2 devices; Southwest Asia Service Medal with star; Kosovo Campaign Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and Iraqi Campaign Medal. Among his awards are the coveted Colonel Leo Thorsness Veteran Award and the National Patrick Henry Award.
Representative Drake participates in numerous charitable and philanthropic community groups, coached youth baseball 17 years, and serves on the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee. He is past president and current board member of the Leeds Historical Society as well as a current board member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce. He is also past vice-president of the Leeds Jaycees; past president of Leeds Youth Baseball where he served two terms; charter member of Leeds Exchange Club; member of the Chief’s Council, 117 ARW, and a member of the E-9 Association of the State of Alabama. He serves as a member of the advisory board for Lehigh Hanson as well as for Three Hots and a Cot, an organization for homeless veterans. Representative Drake is a member of the Military Stability and Job Creation Commission. He is also a Deacon of the Leeds First Baptist Church.
He has been married to the former Anita Smith for 44 years and they have two sons; Heath (Ashley) and Jared; five grandchildren: Lexi, Jackson, Colin, Colton and Addye. Both of his sons serve our country in the military as officers; Heath as a Company Commander (MP) USAR and Jared as a Pilot (Aircraft Commander and IP) USAF.