Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You may be gone from this earth, but you are never, never forgotten.

March 4, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 3, 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

January 9, 2008

8 years you've been gone and it seems like only yesterday we were in the academy. I think of you often and how great it was to hang out with you. My little man Gaston turned 3 years old this past Mar. 1 and we took him the the Children's Museum. I asked the ticket taker how long she had worked there and it was only a few years. I told her about you and that you had worked there. I told Gaston about you later that day and that you died in a car crash. Now every time I go 10-41, he tells me to be careful and "don't get in a car crash". He will learn more about you in the future and I'm going to try to raise him in your image, courteous, trustworthy, brave, and most of all a quality friend to other people.
I saw Jeanie and Amy a few months ago, they are doing great. Jeanie is beautiful and outgoing and loves life. She's had a tough one, but what a support network she has. I know you know all of this, but I had to tell you, she is getting along great.
You won't be forgotten brother.

Tpr. Rob McKeeman
I.S.P.

March 4, 2007

MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!! I KNOW YOU ARE STILL WATCHING OVER US FROM THE STREETS OF GOLD!!

DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD

February 22, 2007

Having recently discovered this website, let me first say that it is a wonderful place. Now onto Richard.
I didn't know Richard until we met in the Indiana State Police Academy in July of 1998. Even though we were friend for a short time, I feel like I knew him well. We sat next to each other during the 22 week-long academy and we would try to make the other one laugh so we could get each other into trouble with the counselors. During our time together Monday through Friday, I grew to know him better and bettr and to realize that he was the family man I wanted to be. He had a beautiful 2 month old daughter and a wonderful wife Amy who he cherished, and you couldn't run fast enough to catch him on Friday afternoon as he raced for his Jeep to get hom to them.
We graduated in December and went to the Toll Road post together, he was to work on the west end of the state and I on the east end. During his 2 weeks of training east, he stayed with me in my apartment so he wouldn't have to drive so far every day. We had a ball in those 2 weeks. After that, I had to train on the west end and in true richard form, he had a key made for me so I could come and go from his apartment.
The night before he was killed, we had fun watching T.V. and talking about the careers we had ahead of us. He joked about how "things will be different when I run this show", the guy was hilarious. The morning of the 4th, he had to get going an hour before me, so as I tried not to wake up, he got ready and was preparing to shuv off for the day. He told me that he had made some coffee and to help myself, so I jumped up and poured a cup. I feel a little guilty that the last thing I said to him was a joke about how awful the coffee was. It really was, some sort of amaretto stuff. We laughed and said we'd see each other later.
When tragedy struck, I was writing a warning to a speeder. The call came out that one of our vehicles was involved in a crash at the 74 mile marker. I knew that Richard was working down there and my heart sank. By the tone in the voices of the dispatchers, you knew it was very serious. It was, and we all cried that day. a few years later, I was lucky enough to have a child, a fantastic little boy who we named Gaston. He is 2 now and I can't wait to tell him about Richard. -You are the man, Rich, thank you for being my friend.

Trooper Rob McKeeman
Indiana State Police

September 2, 2006

You are not forgotten

Wife of ISP Trooper

September 1, 2006

Amy,

I just read your kind reflection for my brother and our family. I remember you from the Memorial Service in Washington, and how similar the events of our fallen officers' lives and deaths. I pray you are well. Our
family is doing well, except for Dee, my brother's widow.
Please remember her and get in touch with her if you can.

Scott Williams
Brother of Gene V. Williams EOW 8-9-99

July 10, 2006

My Brother Shaky: I remember the cold days at Fort A.P. Hill with you and those crazy jarheads of Suicide Second Platoon, B Company, 8th & I Marine barracks, Washington, D.C. 1990-1992. I remember the young Marines you and I trained together. I remember the Cope we shared. I remember the laughs and triumphs we shared in Suicide Second. You were the most beloved of us all. I remember you each year and I smile. Richard "Shaky G" Gaston you are my platoon mate and you cared, listened and acted with the fullest and most optimistic heart of any man or Marine I ever knew.

My Friend, you will never leave my heart. You did it best and always with the fire of a Warrior and Protector of our nation and fine citizens of Indiana. They don't know that how many times you talked of being that Indiana Trooper. But I know. I remember the many times we all sat around and talked of the future.

I wanted you to know that my son is going on three now, and he will know about what makes a kind man such as you. He will know about you and what you meant to me when I arrived in Second Platoon. He will know about the McFarland body presses, the Bolden and McVey battles that made us laugh until we cried. He will know about the locust landing on us at the Pentagon that freaked everyone out while we were performing our spit-n-shine routine. He will know about "edge-dressing" incident. He will know about the Sykes war and the Rabbit chase. He will know about me and you watching the melt-down of the First Sergeant, which I personally believed you caused but you believed I caused for running those young Marines through DC streets and midnight screaming cadence to the top of our lungs. It was frightening when they dragged him off in the straight jacket. Remember you having to take me to Bethesda Naval Hospital because he swore I was jaundice. He gave you $60 bucks and told you to take care of me for the day. We drank that and more the night.

Brother, I miss you. Many people miss you. It would make you laugh to know that I actually run with that old t-shirt that I swiped from McVey that I swore I didn't take from him (I think his mother gave it to him or something).

Remember the goofy kid from Tennessee that joined to fight in the war and ended up at the barracks in our CDS class. He was like 10 years older than all of us. "I did it for the war!" Man was he disappointed.

God Shaky, I remember all of that like it was yesterday and I remember it because of you.

I wish everyone could know you the way I know you.

"I got a little change in my pocket going janga-langa-lang." Remember me singing that while you guys were pouring shots of my shaved head at the Marine Corps Ball and then I went up to the General Al Gray and tripped, hitting my head off his knee and him picking me up. You guys were rolling.

Its April now, and its been 7 years and I still feel empty.

Semper Fi Shaky G. I love you. I know you. I talk about you still.

From my heart,
Billy

Billy D. Chism

April 12, 2006

Trooper Gaston, thank you for your service.

Michelle - wife of LEO

April 6, 2006

May The Lord Bless and Keep you, May He shine His Face upon you.

March 4, 2006

Rest in Peace Richard

Bennett SR #134
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

March 4, 2006

To Richard's wife, child, family, friends, co-workers, and others... may God be with you... may He carry you when you simply cannot walk on your own. I won't let anyone forget Richard's sacrifice. It is my promise to you. God bless you.

LEO fiancee and friend of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

December 28, 2005

Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.



Master Trooper Dave “Stumpy” Miller

Indiana State Police Dist 13

December 19, 2005

"The path of the Warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying on the path."

Thank you for helping us stay on the path. You shall not be forgotten.

65th Indiana State Police Recruit
Indiana State Police

December 3, 2005

I have worn your St. Michael medal to work every day since Amy gave it to me at the funeral. Six years brother, I will wear it every day for my entire carrier.

We miss you and we will never forget.

Corey A. Shaffer
Indianapolis Police Department

April 15, 2005

God grant that I may live
To fish until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last breath
I, then, most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's safe landing net
I am peacefully asleep,
That in His mercy I be judged
As good enough to keep.

April 14, 2005

You are not forgotten, Semper Fi.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

October 26, 2004

I often visit this website after the death of two dear friends from the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003). Both of these troopers were killed by transfer trucks who hit them as they were performing traffic stops on the side on Interstate 40.

I was shocked to see that 4 of the last 5 Indiana Troopers were killed in the same manner. In the case of Trooper Cogdill, the truck driver had cocaine in his system and a crack pipe in this truck. He was charged with 8 offenses. The trial ended a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the jury found him not guilty on most of the charges. He was found guilty of deathy by vehicle and is to spend 45 days in jail (less time served). Where is the justice????

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Trooper Gaston. I am deeply saddened to see the death of another very young man.

These are senseless occurances that continue to happen. Thank you so much to the men and women who continue to serve their communities and this great Nation. God Bless You.

...Gone, but never Forgotten...

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

It is because of you and other officers like you that I enjoy arresting drivers under the influence.

Rest In Peace, My Brother

September 29, 2003

Policeman's Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael, Heavens glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men. Amen

Trooper Joseph L. White
Indiana State Police

To Gaston, Cory, and Jason,

To us, you three were family, we spent twenty-two weeks geetting to know you, and we are thankful.  You will be missed and never forgotten.

Indiana State Police
56th Recruit Class

You were killed doing what you loved. you are now a guardian of the guardians. May God Bless you and your loving family. You will be missed. And for all the good things you have done and never heard a thank you...

Thank you Trooper Gaston.

Deputy Anthony D. Ardeel
Pittsboro Town Marshal's Office

Master Trooper Dave Miller

Richard chose to protect and serve. He obviously had the inner desire to help people. This is a trait inherent to all law enforcement officers. Richard was willing and gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life. When I read of his passing, my heart sank. I was overcome with feelings of helplessness, wishing there was something I could do. My heart and prayers go out to his family.

Sergeant Richard S. Fambro
Ohio State Highway Patrol