Deputy Sheriff John Charles Risley Harris County Sheriff's Department Texas Monday, October 23, 2000  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

J.C.

Passed by your house the other day on the way to my Grandmother's funeral...Just thought I'd let you know we're still out here and we have not forgotten...

To Becky and the girls, of course, if you ever need anything...we are here for you always...

We will never forget Unit 4410

Sergeant J.E. Flynt
HCSO
2008-03-29

Hey JC,
I still remember the day I met you when I started at the Harris County Sheriffs Dept. when I began working in the VCC. I was a white shirt at the time going to the academy before work at UofH downtown. We worked night shifht together and remember you helping me study for my test's. I really looked up to you as someone with honesty and integrity. I think about you all the time and wonder if you are still "cracking Heads" fro the Lord. If I know you, you are. Keep Heaven safe from all evil my Brother. You are missed!

John Jackson
Williamsom County

Deputy John Jackson
Williamson County Constable Pct 3
2008-03-28

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2008-02-07

J.C., We still remember you out here. When the new ones come to patrol and I happen upon them, I recount that you passed before them and to be grateful that changes were made to prevent the tragedy that visited upon you. God bless, rest in peace brother.

Bobby

Deputy R.C. (Bobby) Grigar

2008-01-07

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

This writer is pleased that justice was so quickly served on your behalf.

VAn DenBerghe
NH
2007-10-19

WE STILL MISS YOU OUT HERE YOU SNUFF DIPPIN CUSS WITH A BAD ATTITUDE. I WAS BLESSED TO KNOW YOU J C, REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

DEPUTY R C (BOBBY) GRIGAR
HARRIS COUNTY SO
2006-12-01

May you Rest in Peace and may Our Heavenly Father comfort, strengthen and bless your loved ones.

2006-10-23

JC I did not know you, but I know your wife Becky, She is an amazing woman. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this holiday season. God speed, and keep an eye on the rest of us.

Shawn

K-9 Deputy Shawn Sayers
Brazos County Constable Pct. 1
2005-12-20

To the family and friends of Deputy John Risley and his fellow deputies in the Harris County Sheriff's Dept:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Risley was brutally murdered in the line of duty.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Deputy Risley gave to his community and to his country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 23, 2000.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

2005-10-24

JC,
We worked together for a few years before you went on patrol and I still remember when Deputy D. Anderson called me and told me that you had been killed. You were a credit to the Department. Thank you for letting me learn from you and Rojas and Turner. I'm sure there were others but as we get older we don't always remember.
Wendy

Corrections Officer Wendy Crawley
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Officer
2005-04-15

JC, I only met you a couple of times. You were always polite and you always had a smile. I have been working with those who loved you and have been touched by their dedication to you. I feel honored to be accepted and included by those who knew you well. We often have BBQ at your favorite spot and have renamed it in your honor. I have a great deal of respect for the friends you left behind. Based on their respect for you, I can only conclude we have lost a great man. May God Bless You.

Deputy D.R. Morrison
Harris county Sheriff's Dept
2005-01-10

DAY IS DONE
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER, OR THE SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHTM,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL, SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY.
AS WE GO THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

It is said that EVIL flourishes when good men do nothing.

To the family of this brave Officer who gave all so that others might live, I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude for your continued sacrifice.

To those of us who were left behind who still wear the badge, the mission continues... tomorrow is another Tour Of Duty... May God comfort you with the knowledge that you DO make a differance.

Box Elder County Sheriffs Office Utah

Deputy Troy S. Pilivi Alpha Squad Leader
Box Elder Metro S.W.A.T.

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)
2004-10-23

DAY IS DONE
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER, OR THE SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHTM,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL, SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY.
AS WE GO THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

It is said that EVIL flourishes when good men do nothing.

To the family of this brave Officer who gave all so that others might live, I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude for your continued sacrifice.

To those of us who were left behind who still wear the badge, the mission continues... tomorrow is another Tour Of Duty... May God comfort you with the knowledge that you DO make a differance.

Box Elder County Sheriffs Office Utah

Deputy Troy S. Pilivi Alpha Squad Leader
Box Elder Metro S.W.A.T.

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)
2004-10-23

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, October 23, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy John Risley who died on this date three years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Risley's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC
2003-10-23

J.C., I didn't ever get the opportunity to meet you, but, have spent alot of time with your lovely wife, Becky, and have grown to love her dearly. She is very proud of you and misses you alot. She was such a blessing to me during a time that I needed a lot of support. You would have been proud of her. I can't begin to express the pride that I have for the Harris Cty. Sheriff's Dept. They are the greatest bunch of people that I've ever met. I appreciate the job you did and know that you had a special calling. I sincerely look forward to the day that we will all be united in the kingdom of Heaven. God bless you and your wonderful family. Arlene Sanders,( mother-in-law to Dept. Barry Hill)

Arlene Sanders
friend of family

J.C.
My 4 year old daughter asked about the silver color K.L.O.D. bracelet which I wear with your name on it. I told her how I had a friend, who was also a deputy, who was shot and killed by a man. I told her that you were in heaven now. when she continued to ask questions, I told her that I would show her a picture of you on the computer.
After seeing your picture I told her we could type a letter to you and your family. She said tell him "I love you." Tonight, like other nights, I will lift your family up to God. I pray for His blessings for them.

Deputy T. W. Black
HCSO

Deputy Risley, your watch is over and our department salutes you and your tour. May you watch over the gates of heaven, as you watched over the citizens of Harris County, Texas.

Deputy J. Allen
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department, Texas

"A Dispatcher's Promise"

Another morning has approached
as I think of my officer again.
One of the many officers that swore
to serve and to protect,
and gave up his life in the very end.

That fateful day is something that
I am not allowed to forget.
It is that memory that reappears
each time I put on my headset.

And when I sit in front of the radio
and dispatch my officers to a priority call,
I silently hope and pray
that I hear them clear,
instead of hearing them take the fall.

You see, I have always read their voices
and sent back up when I sensed tension or fear.
But now, more than ever, it is their voice
I want to continue to hear.

Taking for granted that you will hear
an officer do another traffic stop,
just should not be done.
For it does not matter how routine
the stop or call may be,
it only takes one.

When one of our brothers or sisters
is lost in the field,
the briefing room will then be left
with an empty space.
And in our hearts it is perceived,
that this brother or sister will
never be replaced.

It is my solemn vow to all of my officers
to give my very best,
and to be the voice they want to hear
in their worst times of distress.

It is for my officers that
my loyalty is firmly planted,
And it is their voices
that I will never again,
take for granted.

Michelle

Dear John,

It was with great sadness and shock that I came to work the day you left us and found out what had happened. We all miss your sense of humor and your country boy ways. I have been with Becky at each memorial from the national to the state, and each one has torn my heart out. I promise that we will look after your family and see that they are taken care of.

Detective Scott A. Ashmore
Harris County Sheriff's Department

You are truely missed!

Anonymous

J.C.
Just a note to you to let you know we haven't forgotten about you. My prayers and thought go to your love ones. Keep patrolling the streets of heaven, and keep an eye on us down here.

Deputy
Harris County Sheriff's Dept.

J.C. WAS A GOOD PERSONAL FRIEND TO ME WHO WILL BE MISSED BY NOT ONLY HIS FRIENDS BUT THE ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. J.C. I KNOW YOU WILL ALLWAYS BE THERE IN SPIRIT AND WILL LOOK OVER US AS WE TRY TO MAKE THIS WORLD A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE...WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU...GREG STANLEY, UNIT #4437

DEPUTY R.G. STANLEY
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy J.C. Risley in the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.  May God watch over all of you in this time of healing.

Sgt. Howard L. Hawbaker
Hidalgo County, TX S.O.

It is with terrible sadness and utmost respect to learn of Officer Risley's death. I have worked many incidents with him on scene and he will be missed not only by his family, but by the community and partner agencies.

Thom McBarron
South Texas Advanced Tactical Team Search & Rescue