Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace, Sir on the anniversary of your passing. May God continue to bring comfort to those you left behind.

Deputy Sheriff Cris Gutierrez
Burnet County Sheriff's Office (TX)

January 31, 2021

As a newspaper editor, I knew Tony to be a smiling, friendly, professional, wonderful deputy. The day of his death, we were all stunned, but I still remember him.

Glynn Moore
Journalist who worked with him professionally

July 20, 2016

Rest in Peace, Deputy Wilder. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 24, 2012

Rest in Peace brother. On this the anniversary of your death you are not forgotten by thos ewho still serve.

Deputy Sheriff T.B. Dorsey
Pitt Co. N.C. Sheriffs Office

January 31, 2011

I was only thirteen years old when I attended your funeral as a family member. It left an impact on my life and convinced me to join your other family, law enforcement. I have been in law enforcement now for seventeen years and I thank you for your sacrifice. As the years go by, your memory and that day does not fade. I have served in three different agencies during my career, but I am proud to say that I now wear the tan & brown. You were a great man and inspiration. I know heaven gained a great warrior and a great man.

Deputy Chris Kent
Fayette County Sheriff's Office

January 15, 2009

Thank YOU Daddy...Thank YOU for instilling in me of treating others like I would like to be treated...Thank YOU for showing me that being able to hold my head high at the end of my work day even though I am tired from a nice long hard day of work is the best way to be...Thank YOU for loving not only your FAMILY but the town and county and the people that lived there at that time to give YOUR LIFE to PROTECT and to SERVE in their place. I saw the days and nights when the calls took their toll on YOU...It has been a very very long time since YOU have been gone...but there are still days that I think of YOU and hear your stern voice inside of ME as I deal with people in my job...I LOVE YOU STILL DADDY....and MY HEART MISSES YOU SO VERY DEARLY.

Kevin Reed Wilder
Tony's SON...

March 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 22, 2008

"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

October 8, 2007

Your service and your memory are not forgotten.

January 31, 2005

Deputy Sheriff Wilder,
On today, the 19th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colquitt County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

January 31, 2005