Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

~Never forgotten~ God Bless your family, friends and co-workers.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

March 20, 2008

I can't believe it is almost twelve years since you were taken from us. I always stop to visit your grave when I go past. I often receive help from law enforcement with difficult and dangerous people at the rectory at all hours, and I always think of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers whenever I pray for everyone in EMS. Peace, Fr. Kerry Prendiville

Rev. Kerry Prendiville
cousin

February 18, 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

December 31, 2007

As a rookie officer with the Sidney Police Dept I attended your funeral. I did not personally know you but have often thought of you and your family. You will not be forgotten.

Officer Dan Smith
Great Falls Police Department

October 10, 2007

Keith, I didn't know you, but you were still a fellow peace officer and therefor a brother. Thank you for your service to our country and your community. God bless and rest in peace brother.

Fairview Chief of Police Gregory Thiel

Chief Gregory Thiel
Fairview Police Department

November 28, 2006

To Senior Patrol Officer Keith Allen Braddock and his loved ones:

On this the tenth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Reading reflections from your son and son-in-law and your good friend help others understand what a hero you were and what a good family man you were. You gave much in service to man, community and your country.

Officer Braddock, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Braddock. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication. I also salute your service during the Gulf War.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Braddock gave to his community and the citizens of North Dakota, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 20, 1996.

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

March 20, 2006

Kieth,

You were my closest friend and a great partner in the years you and I worked together in Watford City. I was looking forward to sharing war stories with you in our old age and long after retirement. You taught me a lot during our years together. A great officer and family man taken from us much to soon. You are always in my memory.

Officer John Schoenhoff
Orono, Minnesota PD

January 31, 2006

Keith was a good cop, a good soldier, and a good friend. I will never forget him, or the lessons I learned from him.

Deputy Todd Pederson
Pennington County Sheriff's Office

April 1, 2004

KIETH DIED DOING WHAT HE WAS GOOD AT, SAVING LIVES. UNFORTUNATELY HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE. NOT ONLY WAS HE A PEACE OFFICER, HE ALSO WAS AN EMT, AND A GULF WAR VETERAN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY A HUSBAND, FATHER AND FRIEND. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY LIVES HE HAS FOREVER CHANGED IN HIS YEARS OF SERVICE, BUT I KNOW OF A GROUP OF BAR PATRONS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT WILL ALWAYS BE INDEBTED TO HIM.

IT'S APPROACHING THE FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MURDER, HE HAS MISSED MANY HOLIDAYS, THE WEDDINGS' OF HIS TWO OLDEST CHILDREN AND SOON HE WILL MISS THE BIRTH OF HIS GRANDKIDS. ITS AMAZING HOW ONE MANS ACTIONS CAN SHATTER A COMMUNITY AND FOREVER SCAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. KEITH, I WAS TRUELY BLESSED FOR HAVING KNOWN YOU, EVEN IF ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE. YOUR DAUGHTER IS NOW MY WIFE, AND I CAN ONLY HOPE TO TAKE CARE OF HER AS HALF AS GOOD AS YOU TOOK CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, YOU'RE TRUELY AN ANGEL AMONG US.

OFFICER BRADDOCK, OUT OF SERVICE...BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

KEVIN HANRAHAN
SNOPAC 911

HE WAS THE BEST MAN I KNEW..HE TAUGHT OUR FAMILY HOW TO SURVIVE AND TO GIVE WITHOUT ASKING IN RETURN. HE WAS MY FATHER. GOD IS WITH EVERY OFFICER THAT GOES TO WORK EVERY DAY. KEEP THAT IN MIND.

HARRY BRADDOCK