Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 15, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, March 31, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Russell Travis Stalnaker who died in the line of duty on this date five years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Stalnaker’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

March 31, 2004

Rusty,

You made a huge impact on my life.  It seems like just yesterday you were incouraging me to get back in school.  I can't believe it's been over a year.  It happened on a rainy Wednesday, two days after my birthday.  I will NEVER forget that.  You will always be a part of my family...Rusty, you are missed!

Officer A. N. Toto
Atlanta Police

I Sometimes wonder why I decided to try to become a police officer.Because of people like yourself I now know why,there is a need for people to want to get out in the world and make a difference however small it may be, god bless your family and all those who serve with you acros the country.

M. Brooks
Concerned Citizen

I didn't know you personally but your still a brother and i know you will be missed badly. my prayers are with you family. sleep well brother and i know we will see ya again in heaven.

lynn morris
carroll county so

God Be With You And Your Family From Wayne New Jersey

William J. Minich
Civilian

RUSTY,

WHEN I HEARD ABOUT YOUR PASSING MY HEART DROPPED.SINCE I LEFT APD I HAD NOT HAD MUCH CONTACT WITH ALOT OF THE PEOPLE IN ZONE FIVE.YOUR PASSING HIT ME REAL HARD,BUT I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN WERE WORKING
DURING THE OLYMPICS AND WE WERE BOTH BITCHING ON THE BUS ABOUT HOW TIRED WE WERE.RUSS I MISS YOU EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO YOU SINCE THEN.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY

OFFICER SHAWN PINCKNEY
MARTA Police Department

Rusty, I'm really hurting for your family. I was there with you after it happened and still can't get it out of my mind. I hurt for Dana and for all of your family. Do us all a favor will you?, tell Rick we all said HELLO! We miss you and love you. See you soon.

Officer J.T. Bentley
Atlanta PD

After having attended several officer funerals I found myself most devastated by Rusty's. Perhaps it is because I am both a wife and a mother for the first time while experiencing this. When I think of this tragedy, when I contemplate Rusty's death and the devastating effects on his wife, I am left with a physical ill feeling, and I have found myself weeping so often. I know of no other way to say this than I am simply so sad. It is simply so sad.

Officer Michelle Priestly
Atlanta Police Department

Yesterday I directed traffic for Russell Stalnakers funeral detail. Last night I lay in bed thinking about the sense of loss Russells wife will have for years to come. The deck is certainly stacked against us and our families in every possible way. Stress, lack of sleep, low pay, court time, lack of support from administrators above-endless list. Yet, people like Russell Stalnaker, 3 year veterans go to the worst neighborhoods and deal with problems we know are third world and still maintain an excited attitude about being a police officer. Atlanta P. D. Maj. Woodward said that the people who will lose with the death of Russell Stalnaker are the people who will never meet him. I agree.

Lt. Michael E. Tate
Henry County Police Department

We the parents and sister of Atlanta Police Officer John Sowa killed in the line of duty on October 12, 1997 would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Officer Stalnaker. We know only too well the pain that you are going through and our prayers are with you and your family at this time. Remember that Russ died doing what he loved best and he is with God and will be protecting us from above. God be with all of you at this time and forever.

Anonymous

You will be missed by all of us. It seems like a month ago, we were just talking. I can't believe your gone! I don't know what else to say, I'm still in shock.....may god bless you and keep you forever safe with him.…

Anonymous

Saint Michael, heaven's 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, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

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, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer'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 all the people. Amen.

Sgt Snake
East Point Police Department, Ga

Russell i was there the night they brought you to the hospital and was so heartbroken at the news of your passing tho we, may never had met when i saw the out pour of your fellow APD officers, and the response of all the local surrounding agencies to the hospital that night i, knew rite then I had missed out on not knowing you personally, but i hope that one day my brother I will meet you! There were those who gave some But
Russell you "GAVE ALL". MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY WITH LOVE AND PEACE AND COMFORT YEARS TO COME!

SINCERELY JAMES WHALEY

corrections officer
Atlanta Pretrial Detention center