Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There really is no more noble job then that of a public servent who puts his/her life on the line every time they roll out. I feel for all officers out there and especially the family of Deputy Dinheller. I know he did not die in vain and that lessons were learned from this for other officers in the future.

Michael D. Authier
None

September 12, 2005

i saw this video and it is so sad that people can actually do this without any emotions. it is so sad that the world has gone this way. my best wishes to his family and partners

Flovent

September 12, 2005

After recently watching the video I am taken back. My condolences to the deputies family and I feel lucky to be a citizen with people like himself willing to put their lives on the line to protect us from people like that. A prayer has been said.

kyle

September 12, 2005

I've seen the in car video on the internet, and it is one of the saddest I've seen. If only everyone know how much sacrifice peace officers take to make people safe.

Lockins

September 12, 2005

I saw the tragic video earlier today of Deputy Dinkheller's final moments. I almost wish I hadn't seen it. My heart goes out to the Dinkheller family.

Marcel

September 11, 2005

Death was too good for the gunman. People like him should be in a box for life. It's sad to see somebody die like this.

Peter

September 11, 2005

I just saw the video of the murder, it was very disturbing and sad. Rest In Peace.

Toby

September 10, 2005

I just viewed the video, sent to me by my partner of many years. May you rest in peace, dear comrade. You have not perished in vain, as this video will save many lives. Your spirit lives on in those who protect us now, long after your watch has ended. May God bless you and your family.

Sergeant
Chicago Police Department

September 10, 2005

Rest in peace my brother...your courage lives on forever...

Res. Deputy S. Araguz
FCSO, Wa. State

September 10, 2005

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don’t even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don’t even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don’t think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a “game.”

Since my job’s base pay isn’t the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts, on holidays and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don’t they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don’t they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

When I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special “tools” to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I “beat someone down”, and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I “gunned someone down” or that I “shot and killed” somebody, not that I defended myself. Don’t they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don’t know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life. You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a “pig,” but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone’s rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job, I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope of being the one who makes the difference.

Written By

- Paul Cotter, Lynn Mass
---------------------------------------

This article was written by me to help remember and honor all of my brother and sisters who have died protecting others. And to remind the public of all that the law enforcment officers do and risks we face in helping others.

It was publised in 5 newspapers and 1 national police magazines during national police week.

My thoughts and prayers are with Kyle and his family......

Off Paul Cotter
Lynn MA PD

September 8, 2005

Your loss will never be forgotten. May God bless you, your family, your department, and protect us all who serve. Rest in peace.

Lt
Upper Darby

September 8, 2005

I have seen this video before but after seeing it again yesterday it really makes me feel helpless. I am sure I speak for thousands of law enforcement when I say "I wish I had been there to back you up." Your untimely and tragic death has served as valuable training for many law enforcment recruits on the city, state, and federal levels. It will undoubtedly save the lives of many officers who find themselves in a similar situation. They will know what to do and what not to do because of this video. Rest in peace brother.

Firearms Instructor
United States Border Patrol

September 8, 2005

Such a damn shame. But you live on with all of us, brutha.

September 7, 2005

I just watched your video, sent to me by my husband, and oficer of 8 years. After sending it to me, he wished he hadn't, I think. But I am glad he did. For years people have asked me if it is hard to be the wife of an officer, and I always responded by saying, "The schedule sucks." But today, reality struck me in a way I was not prepared for. Since veiwing your video, I have not been able to stop crying. I Thank GOD for the sacrifices our peace officers and all our servicemen make, but it does not make those losses right. I am so sorry you had to go through what you did, and I am so sorry your family has to re-live it everyday. I wish with all my heart that there was something I could do to ease their pain. What would the work be like without Officers willing to put their lives on the line everyday. This video is a glimpse into what that world would be like. God protect the Officers that protect us, and send my love to the families that have sacrificed everything...

Teri

September 7, 2005

I cannot adequately express my deep sorrow for you and your family. I just don't have any words other than I'm sorry this happened to you. I promise, you will never be forgotten by myself or anyone I know. Thank you for your sacrifice. Rest in peace.

September 7, 2005

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

P.O. #255
WCSO

September 7, 2005

You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers.

Trooper
Pennsylvanis State Police

September 6, 2005

I have often taken my husband's job for granted. After watching this video, I never will again. My heart goes out to the wife and children left behind. --Wife of a LEO

Anonymous

September 6, 2005

I am a Dutch police student of the Dutch police academy in the age of 29.
I really felt to make a short reflection here because I was very shocked after watching that tape on a website.
I cant't find the right words now to express myself but one thing I know is that nobody deserves to die like this!
Here in the Netherlands we always make patrol with two officers but it once more shows us what danger we could encounter and how to deal in such situations like this.
I will take this video tape as an example at class of the academy to discuss it there.

It really made a huge impact on me after watching this tape!

My thoughts are with you and your family! Rest well Kyle!!!

Maurice Schreuder
Dutch police academy

September 5, 2005

I saw the video and it struck me, how much pain Dinkheller was in. The SOB shot him even though he was incapacitated. His killer was a Vietnam Vet who should have known to cease fire. Officer DInkheller suffered tremendously and his killer deserve to die. What a waste of good life. I hope that death sentence will be manditory when a suspect shoots back at a law enforcement officer.

2SG Army Reservist

September 5, 2005

this was one of the hardest things ive ever watched. that sick b****d i hope dies a horrible death and burns in hell for taking you away from your family and friends. god bless you, your wife, kids, and family. you are an inspiration by many and even though i never met you, i feel like i miss u my friend.. peace

shane
none

September 4, 2005

I was both shocked and mortified by what I saw. The brutal and senseless act of violence committed against Deputy Dinkheller was an absolute tragedy.

My heart goes out to the family of Deputy Dinkheller for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers and offer only this for the surviving family, friends and peers of Deputy DinkHeller to ponder.

The noblest revenge is to forgive ~ Thomas Fuller

I know that this might seem easy for me to say, as I did not lose a spouse, son, sibling, friend or co-worker. But I know that if you cannot forgive, the hatered and fear will consume all aspects of your life.

Take control and refuse to be victimized for the rest of your and let the judging be done by the hand of God. Only then will true justice prevail.

God bless all of you. My heart and prayers go with you as you continue to cope with your loss.

Steven Surbaugh

September 3, 2005

I am very sadden by this video and I give my prayers to officer Dinkheller and his family.

Son of a New York ex-esu officer

September 3, 2005

I just came across the video of this tragedy and am deeply saddened by not only the sad state of this world, but the loss of a young life. Kids, you want a hero to look up to? Look no further than Deputy Dinkheller. God bless your family and may you rest in eternal peace. You sir, Are what Heroes are made of.

Curtis Keller

September 2, 2005

Just saw the video of your last moments of life. Thank you for your sacrifice, and rest in peace. I'm so sad for your family, and I hope they can take some comfort knowing that you died to protect others from this deranged individual. I didn't know of you before today, but now your name will never leave me. God bless you Officer Dinkheller.

B Huff

September 2, 2005