Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

THE SEASONS OF THE SOUL

When you feel cast down and despondently sad
And you long to be happy and carefree and glad,
Do you ask yourself, as I so often do,
Why must there be days that are cheerless and blue?
Why is the song silenced in the heart that was gay?
And then I ask God, "What makes life this way?"
And His explanation makes everything clear,
The soul has its seasons, the same as the year.
We, too, must pass through life's autumn of death
And have our hearts frozen by winter's cold breath.
But spring always comes with new life and birth
Followed by summer to warm the soft earth.
And, oh, what a comfort to know there are reasons,
That souls, like nature, must too have their seasons,
Bounteous seasons and barren ones too,
Times for rejoicing and times to be blue.
For with nothing but "sameness" how dull life would be,
For only life's challenge can set the soul free,
And it takes a mixture of both bitter and sweet
To season our lives and make them complete."
(author - Helen Rice)

We all grieve over the lost lives in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

God bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great nation.

Gone but never forgotten.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Oxnard, California

September 26, 2004

I first met Otis while we were stationed on the USS Independence in the early 80's. Upon being discharged I invited Otis to come to work with the Palm Beach County Sheriffs office in Fla which he did. As sometimes happens misunderstandings destroy friendships and this was the case with us. I guess I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what happened between us Otis, your were one of the finest people I had ever know! I will pray for you and your family, and when it is my time to go, I hope we can once again, be partners!

Patrolman Christopher Ice
Hendersonville Police Department, NC

Sergeant Love and Officer Watson will both be greatly missed. They were liked, respected, and loved by many, and their loss has created an emptiness that will not soon be filled or forgotten.

Lieutenant Kent Williams
Sheridan Police Department, AR