Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Patrolman Samfay,
On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

Sergeant V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department

October 17, 2006

Officer Anthony R. Samfay

The other day I was at work and a young man came in to have some work done on his car. He had his back to me...and I noticed that he had a sweatshirt on that I recognized....a shirt that brought a twinge to my heart....and an ache to my soul. Because I have a sweatshirt just like it from the Police Memorial in memory of my brother.

I approached this man and he seemed so surprised when I told him that "I know that shirt" and that I had one just like it. He asked me if I had lost an officer and I told him yes.

We talked for a long while that day while his car was being done. I told him about my brother and he told me about you. This man was your partner, Neil. You blessed his life just as my brother did mine, and like my brother you are never forgotten in his heart either. You live in his heart forever.

It was so good talking with someone who really understood my thoughts, feelings, and the loss that lives forever with my heart. Neil and I understood and shared a bond that was beyond the expression of mere words. We both understood that place within each of us that remains just under the surface of the skin. A place that no one else can touch unless they have traveled that road.

Your memory lives on in each family, each officer, each Department that has lost an officer. You are never forgotten. I hope that your family and those that shared the moments of your life hold precious memories to see them through the hard times. I hope they stand tall and brave to live life to the fullest....that they make the most of each minute....that they give life all they have to give....for then that ultimate sacrafice will never be in vain.

Rest in peace....and may the angels in blue watch over all of us.

Terri Griffith
Little Sister of Deputy Larry D. Griffith
Lassen County Sheriffs Dept. CA
E.O.W. 3-2-95

Terri Griffith
sibling of Deputy Larry D. Griffith

April 9, 2006

miss u samster may god be with you and your mom...mikie we had alot of good times

mike kovar
ins

November 7, 2005

To the family and friends of Patrolman Samfay and his fellow officers with the Kankakee City Police Department, and most especially to Patrolman Anthony Samfay:

Today it has been nine years since your brutal murder. Patrolman Samfay, your valor and dedication are not forgotten.
I am sorry to learn that your loved ones were robbed of justice by the political machinations of Gov. Ryan.

I hope that your family is still embraced by the care and comfort of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Patrolman Samfay gave to his community and the citizens of Illinois, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 17, 1996.

October 17, 2005

Patrolman Samfay,
On today, the 9th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Kankakee. It's too bad that ex-Governor Ryan couldn't do his duty to the citizens of the state of Illinois.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

October 17, 2005

i was just reading about another officer, from philadelphia, whose killer has been convicted twice, but 24 years later, is still here among the living. i don't wear a kankakee police badge anymore, but i hope everyone can still remember how much you loved your chosen career and can carry on proudly even after such an injustice has been done to you and your family/friends.

August 1, 2005

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God". Matthew 5:9.
Rest in peace Tony. We still our thinking of you..

Fellow Officer
Kankakee PD

July 14, 2005

The poem Farewell My Friend that was listed on 10-13-04 was written by Mike. We will never forget you Ton and we miss you everyday. Love You..Mike, Kate, Colleen and MaryKate Dempsey and Mary, Steve, Christopher and Emily Guy.

Kate Dempsey
Close Friend

November 11, 2004

Tony not a day goes by that we don't think of you. It seems like it was just yesterday and to think it's been almost 8 years. You'll never know the impact you left on so many peoples lives, what a void it is to not have you here, but we know you're looking down on all of us. A part of you will be with us all forever. We all miss you so very much and love you. God rest your soul.
Anonymous

October 13, 2004

Farewell My Friend
A true friend is a git from heaven
Someone to share your struggles, your
triumphs, your dreams, and your
secrets.
A true friend encourages your work
and overlooks your shortcomings.
Many people pass in and out of your
lives: some neighbors, some co-workers,
some aquaintances, but very few will
ever be a true friend.
This gift was given to me, and I've
experienced the feeling of co-
hesiveness that comes with such a
frienship.
For reasons that I can not yet know,
that gift was taken from me.
To the Lord the giver of life, I
thank you for the time our pathways
crossed, the time we laughed, and the
times we cried.
I look toward heaven to the day
when we can again embrace our
friendship,
And until we meet again-
FAREWELL MY FRIEND- FAREWELL

October 13, 2004

rest my brother..rest well..you will be in my prayers..

skip roberson

August 18, 2004

I knew you Tony. We had the BEST times together. I don't think there was anything our group of guys didn't do, including torment my current agency, as kids.

I was only on the job a year when you were killed. I had to really think about things after the funeral because I wasn't sure my family could handle this if it were to happen to me, but I also knew if it would have happened to me, you would have carried on, so I did the same.

Driving through town is like a constant reminder of the times we had with Al, Chuck, Tammy, Paul, and the rest of the guys. There is no way I can ever go past 26th and Central with thinking of Chucks house parties.

Just when I thought I was done with the pain, Ryan opened up the wounds all over again. I know it must have been hard on your ma. That man deserves to die at the hands of the state of taking you from us. The only solice we had was knowing eventually this man would die for killing you.

I don't care to hear how mentally ill he was, or how long he was mentally ill, all I cared to hear was that this man would no longer darken this world with his presence. Ryan, the political nightmare, ruined the only thing easing our pain, then if that wasn't bad enough, he had to mention you by name.

It's all good now. Again, you would have carried on, so must we.

I'm a daddy, Chuck's a daddy, Paul's a Daddy, Tammy's a mommy. I lost contact of with Al, but I pray he's doing well, and not dogging too many chicks! All of our children are healthy, smart, and gifted to have things we never had.

It's impossible to do this job and not think of you. We miss you.

Detective Joseph Melone
Cicero Police Department

August 14, 2004

I was hired at Kankakee with Tony and we went to the Academy together. I had just invited Tony over for dinner the night before he was shot. I have thought about Tony often when I put the uniform on and remember. I have returned to the police academy as an instructor many times since graduating and always make a point to relay Tony's story and tell everyone what a good guy he was. Tony is missed and will never be forgotten.

Patrolman Brad Southard
Joliet Police Department

July 23, 2004

I know many officers in my hometown. I would never think some stupid person with a gun in the car would take out an officer at a traffic stop. especially a person with no criminal record. I live in Frankfort, IL. it's right by Kankakee, i hope the person that shot Tony is haunted by what he has done. You will not be forgotten, Tony, but remembered. Rest in Peace.

Anonymous

January 26, 2004

As a former officer from Romeoville, IL, I will never forget hearing over ISPERN that an officer had been killed and that the suspect was at large. Learning that the officer was from Kankakee PD, the immediate fear entered my mind that it may be an officer that I knew from the academy. It was at that moment that I realized that at any moment, those close to us in this line of work can be taken without warning.

I never had the pleasure to meet you OFC Samfay. But I did attend the State Memorial the following May where I spoke with several of your co-workers that were there to pay their deepest respect for you. I, along with hundreds of other officers from the State of Illinois, left that memorial knowing that you are a hero.

May God bless your family and those co-workers that were left behind to continue with your work. Rest in peace OFC Samfay !!

Ofc Jeff Wilken
Vancouver PD, State of Washington

Rest in peace. We have the watch now.

Inv. Michael Walkert
Tallahassee Police Department

i remember the laughter in the roll call room at the start of the day. two hours later, our lives would be forever changed. and when it happened, like tears from heaven, the rain began to fall. i couldn't believe you were gone, but i know you're in a better place. hoping you are watching out for all of us down here, till we meet again....................

Anonymous

Tony was the officer that all in law enforcement should strive to be. He loved his work, knew his job, was loved by everyone. What more could one want to be? We who are still on this Earth can only hope that Tony is looking down on us, and reminding us just how fragile life can be. The day he went to meet our Lord is one of the saddest days of my life.
Miss you Tony. Thank you for everything you gave.

Capt. (retired)
Kankakee City Aux. P.D.

Today Thursday 08/16/01 I am glad I found this web page. I still remember Tony and I don't ever want to forget. Though I am no longer in law enforcemennt I will never let the memory of that fatal day leave my mind.

Thank You,
Jeff Jones

Former Aux. Ptlm. Jeffrey Jones
Kankakee City Auxillary Police