Richie Boddin is a character from Salem's Lot. He attends Stanley Street Elementary School. He was the school bully and proud of it, believing he'd grow up to smoke the same brand of cigarettes as his "old man".
Early in the novel, Richie encounters Mark Petrie, the skinny and seemingly weak new kid in school. Believing he can assert his lordship over the school and playground to a new victim, he mocks Mark and takes a swing at him, using a clumsy "haymaker" blow that sets him off balance. While trying to regain his footing Mark trips him, sending Richie crashing face first into the dirt. Showing surprising speed, Mark takes the initiative, jumping on Richie's back and twisting his arm around painfully, demanding Richie surrender. Richie refuses at first, despite excruciating pain. When Mark increases the pressure on Richie's arm further, Richie finally gives in. Mark's belief is that he must teach the bullying Richie a lesson he won't forget. Though Richie thinks about revenge, he's deterred by the thought of another painful defeat.