Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Its been 14 years today and not one day goes by when I don't think of you. As the exact time rolls around and I hear your partner that night yell officer down and knowing that you were working my heart stops. You have left us here on earth but I know you are walking that beat in heaven! RIP my dear Tonya until we meet again!

TC Amanda Joyner
Halifax County NC and a friend

March 15, 2013

Here I am again Tonya its not a day that doesn't go by that I don't think of you and miss you! I wish you were still here with us, you are missed by many many people! I can hear you stopping the vehicle and then I hear the screams of your partner that night I relive it every year! I know what you are saying its time to let it rest but we had a wonderful person taken away from us and I miss you soo much! I will be back on the 15th to write you again. It helps me to show my love to you and so you know you are NEVER forgotten.

TC Amanda Harrell Ward Joyner
Halifax County also a friend

March 14, 2013

I thought of you today as i do everyday and as i prayed for comfort in bad times here on earth i pray my angel is watching over me As bad as we wish you were here losing you was such a horrible fear..You did what you knew best to protect your citizens from all this mess. Tonia please stand close by me as I fear to walk out the door cause life on earth is horrible and heavens starting to look real bright. I miss you my friend! <3 you

amanda harrell
friend

December 17, 2012

A special place in Heaven for those who've died protecting us all! Thank you.

emt_P
lake county OH

June 22, 2012

Never forgotten, sister.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

March 15, 2011

Lt. Gillikin,
On today, the 12th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Enfield. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

March 15, 2011

Lt.Gillikin Thank you for your service and your sacrafice. You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace....Your brothers and sisters in blue have it from here.

former LEO N.C. 189

March 15, 2011

My dearest Tonya, today makes 12 years since you were taken from us. Your memory lives on in each of us! You are deeply missed. Til we meet again my friend!

Amanda Harrell
Friend

March 15, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 15, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 15, 2009

I was thinking of the times we had, good and bad. I should have been there beside you and Cedric. I am sorry I was not. I am sorry it has taken so long to do this and express to you are still thought of and missed.

PO II H.L. Williams
Henderson N.C.

December 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY LT. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 16, 2008

GOD BLESS YOU, ALTHOUGH I AM BITTER AND BLAME THE COURT SYSTEMS FOR THINGS LIKE THIS. LIFE IS 16 YEARS, DONT WE ONLY WISH. I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MY FATHERS EXECUTION EVERYDAY FOR 18 AND IT HAS ONLY STARTED. WHEN IS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM GOING TO STEP UP AND TRAKE CARE OF BUSINESS? UNTIL THEY DO WE WILL DEAL WITH TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS EVERY DAY. DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU GET MORE TIME FOR NONFLAFGGRANT CHILD SUPPORT OR 4 DUIS THAN YOU DO FOR TAKING THE LIFE OF A POLICE OFFICER? LETS DEMAND JUSTICE, AMERICA, AND LOVED ONES

KIMBERLY KIDWELL
DAUGHTER OF FALLEN OFFICER GARY KIDWELL 1991 STANFORD KY

March 15, 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 26, 2007

It is not how she lived her life that made her a hero, it is how she died. Officer Gillikin will never be forgotten.

She is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

Dear Family and Friends of LT. Gillikin,
I had the honor of being in Morehead City on Oct.27,2007 when a memorial was unveiled in honor of those who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for us. Lt. Gilliken, I did not know that you were the first woman officer to lay down her life for me in N.C. I salute you and thank you for your service to the Enfield Police Dept. and the state of North Carolina. May God bless your family and friends and may they know that you will never be forgotten, as our HERO's never die, but remain alive in our hearts and memories. Thank you for your unselfish Courage.
Remembering you,
Carolyn Moore

Carolyn Moore
Mother-in-law of Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt EOW 04-04-04

November 7, 2007

Thinking of you and your family this day.

Maryland Citizen

March 15, 2007

G-d Bless.

March 15, 2007

As I often scroll through this memorial site today I felt compelled to leave a reflection. I personally did not know you Lt. Gillikin, but I attended your "Home Going" service in Morehead City. I cried the whole time uncontrollably. Chief Gregory and members of your department represented you well but the real crown is yours. It's from God, you sure as heck earned it! I know you are in heaven looking down and wouldn't trade it for nothing. Tonya, I know its better on the other side with the Lord. Rest in peace. You will always be remembered first as a human being, female, policewoman, Lieutenant, whatever. To me you will go down in North Carolina History as a HERO!

Officer T.Franks
Washington Co. Sheriff's Office

April 17, 2006

To Lt. Tonya Doreen Gillikin, and her loved ones:

On this the seventh anniversary week 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.
My son who was fatally shot on April 23, 2005 was born in Durham. We still have lots of family in North Carolina and I was saddened to learn about Lt. Gillikin's death and that she was the first female law enforcement officer to die in North Carolina.

Lt. Gillikin, 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, Lt. Tonya Gillikin. I am humbled by your valor and dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Lt. Gillikin gave to her community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice she and her family made on March 15, 1999.

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

March 16, 2006

May you rest in peace my sister in blue. May God continue to bless you.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

March 15, 2006

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WHAT A LOSS THEY HAVE SUFFERED. AS A WOMAN LOOKING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU ARE A GREAT INSPIRATION. IT IS YOUR BRAVERY AND STRENGTH THAT MADE YOU A FINE OFFICER. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT...

DISPATCHER
AHOSKIE PD

January 8, 2006

I RESPONDED TO THAT CALL THAT COLD NIGHT THAT YOUR LIFE WAS CRULY TAKEN AND STAYED IN ENFIELD UNTIL THE SUSPECTS WERE CAPTURED. THAT WAS A TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE SHOWING ME THAT YOUR NEVER PROMISSED THE NEXT DAY OR SECOND SO DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. WE WILL MISS YOU TONYA BUT WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN PATROLING HEAVENS STREETS.

OFFICER TR METZLER
AHOSKIE POLICE DEPT

November 3, 2005

Rest in peace my sister in blue. Your service will not be forgotten. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Enfield Police Department are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep walking Heaven's beat.

Officer D. Johns
GSU Police Department

October 6, 2005

May we never forget this Warrior's Sacrifice....May her Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends have found Peace in their Hearts...Rest in Peace Blue Angel.....

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.

March 15, 2005