Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

JOEY, WE MISS YOU SO MUCH. ME AND ROBERT STILL THINK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED TOGETHER. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.YOU WERE AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO US. THE SMALL TOWN OF GREENVILLE WILL ALWAYS BE MISSING SOMETHING. YOU ARE TRULY ONE IN A MILLION IF ONLY EVERYBODY KNEW WHAT KIND OF A PERSON YOU WERE. IT WAS AN HONOR TO KNOW YOU AND TO BE A FRIEND TO YOU. NOT A DAY GOES BY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS. LOVE ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN GREENVILLE. RIP

JAMES

May 16, 2008

It has been a while since I have written anything, but I visit this site regularly to view the reflections. Thanks so much for those of you who have taken time to leave a reflection. Well, it is that time of year again, (the holidays), and I have already started slipping towards depression again. Actually, it started on my birthday in October. That whole weekend was so lonely for me, I missed Joey and the rest of my family so much. My family always got together and celebrated our birthdays, as well as all the other holidays. I have lost most of my immediate family now, but at least I do have Johnny and Brooklyn, and for that I am so grateful and thankful to God. This was always Joey's favorite time of year; Thanksgiving and Christmas. He actually enjoyed Christmas shopping as well as cooking!! It has now been eight years since he and Amy were killed, and I still miss them terribly. I have come to the conclusion that it is as good as it is gonna get. I was told in the beginning that one never totally gets over losing a child, and I have found that to be oh so true.

Jean Vincent
11/16/07

November 16, 2007

"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

October 29, 2007

I can hardly write these words with so many tears in my eyes. Tears for Ofc. Vincent. Tears for his wife. Tears for his daughter. Tears for his Mother and Father. Tears for everyone whose life he touched. May you rest in peace Sir. I will continue to fight the fight that you cannot fight any longer. I know you have my back.

AZ Narc

August 23, 2007

My thoughts are with all of the loved ones of Officer Vincent and his wife. Such a terrible incident that should have never of happened. He will never be forgotten and is a true hero, I'm sure his child has been told that every day for the past 8 years. Officer Vincent, continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

June 27, 2007

Jean,
I just wanted to drop a line to let you know I'm thinking about you. Glad to see that Brooklyn is doing well (and growing up). Thanks again to you for being there for me when it seemed not many other people were. The Lord blessed me when I got the first message from you. You (and family) are always in my prayers.

Denise
Wife of Calvin Taylor

May 4, 2007

Today is the day after Thanksgiving. I had 16 guests for dinner yesterday and it helped fill the void of not having my mom, dad, sister & brother in law, two nieces, and Joey and Amy there. I suppose holidays will always be difficult, I miss them so much at times like these. Brooklyn is doing well. She is now nine years old, in the 4th grade, has joined the art club and is in the Chorus at school. She is still taking and enjoying her dance classes. She watches home videos of her mom and dad often and misses them terribly. I know the Lord will give me strength to make it through the Christmas season, but I can't help but dread it. I am so much more emotional at this time of the year. Thanks to all of you who have left your reflections on Joey's page and may God bless you for your wonderful compassion.

Jean Vincent Nov. 2006

November 24, 2006

Hi Jean, just wanted to say hello and that we still pray for Joey, his wife and specially for you and the baby..

God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

November 11, 2006

My heart just breaks for you, Jean, and for your precious granddaughter. My son, who is a Deputy Sheriff, makes the 4th generation of police officers in our family. My dad died when I was 20, just a year after he retired from serving 48 yrs. on the Cleveland Police Dept. Even now, I miss him so much, and can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be for you to make it through each day. How relieved I am to know that the Lord is very real in your life and that of Brooklyn. Know that others still remember your son's ultimate sacrifice and those of you he left behind. Blessings on you and your family.-JOANIE

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

October 4, 2006

To the family members of Joey and Amy Vincent,

I'm not really sure how I discovered Officer Vincent's memorial page, but I do know that reading the memorial made my heart ache for their family members. Even after being a police officer for six years, it still amazes me that such cruel, heartless people exist -such as the "man" that took the lives of Officer Vincent and his wife. It was touching to read the reflections from Jean Vincent. It's obvious that the couple is still missed and loved by many. I didn't have the opportunity to know either Joey or Amy, however I would like for their family members to know that my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Officer Vincent -thank you for your dedication to your community and most of all thank you for being a hero.
Amy Vincent -please know that I will pray for your daughter and that your family will remain strong even though they still cope with your loss
"Blessed are the Peace Makers, for they shall be called children of God" Matthew 5:10

Officer Theresa Stauffer
Penn Township Police Dept., PA

September 27, 2006

May Our Lord give you extra strength and comfort.May He Shine His Face upon you now and in the Future.God Bless.

June 27, 2006

Jean,
I didn't get chance to e-mail you before I came to my parents for Christmas but I wanted to let you know that your family is in my thoughts & I hope you have a Merry Christmas & blessed New Year.

Denise
Survivor of Calvin E. Taylor

December 24, 2005

This reflection is for Officer Vincent and Jean Vincent.
To Joey Vincent, you are greatly missed and you are in a better place and you are a true Hero.
The coward who took you from your loved ones will suffer in his own sins and will not know peace of mind.
His punishment will be forever and you are immortal through your daughter and friends.
To Jean, please know that you are not alone in your pain and sorrow.
Throughout my life and career I have lost two brothers,a father and a wondeful sister-in-law who was a twin to my wife.
I know not why such special people as my relatives and your Joey have to die but I have learned over time that time itself does help and heal.
I also had friends who died in the line of duty and to this day I miss them and I remember them.
Your are a strong and special person Jean and you will go on and you will see Joeys daughter grow up to be a fine person.
Your helping her and being there for her will make Joey and her mommy immortal.
You Jean,in your own right are a Hero, you are not alone, your bravery and compassion are witnessed every day by our Lord and you will be seated next to him one day.
Take care, God Bless you and Joeys special little girl, you are in our prayers.

Retired Police Officer, E.O.W. 4-16-96

June 27, 2005

Next Monday, June 27, 2005, will be the sixth anniversary of your untimely death. We still miss you terribly. Your daughter Brooklyn has accomplished so much in these six years, I just wish you could have been here to see and enjoy her. With each new thing she learns, my heart is overjoyed and also saddened by the fact that you cannot be with us. She prays each night for God to take extra special care of you and her mommy and she always says that she hopes you guys are happy in Heaven.

Jean Vincent

June 24, 2005

God bless this entire family. The loss you all suffered was great. I hope you have found comfort in the Lord over the past five years. May you all be blessed as you await the day you are reunited with your loved ones.

Kevin Cannon
Brother of Keith Cannon EOW 5/4/05

June 14, 2005

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, June 27, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Joey Tremayne Vincent 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 Vincent’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

June 27, 2004

Mrs. Vincent and Brooklyn,
As the five year anniversary approaches so swiftly, I hope these words offer some comfort:

GRIEF IS AN HONOR

"Accumulated grief and sorrow, no longer to be held at bay, have swarmed up and blown
the hinges off the gate. Grief and sorrow have flattened me.
After the gate flew open, I learned the most important lessons of my life. I learned that
grief is precisely equivalent to love, and the terrible grief felt after the loss of a person one
has loved deeply is a necessary consequence of that love and represents its survival in
another form. However bitterly, grief is an honor.
I learned that grief universally saturates and enriches our world, for sooner or later loss
of an almost unimaginable order transforms everyone. Parents die, brothers and sisters
die, even children die, and these deaths create irreparable wounds that shrink over time but
never heal. On all sides, tears lie just beneath the surface. The emotion that gives rise to
those tears is a connective tissue extending far, far down into our common humanity and
our individual beings, and in those depths it becomes indistinguishable from joy."

Lt. T. D. Barge
East Point, Georgia, Police Department

June 21, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty, but some are much more tragic than others. This is definitely tragic.

Mrs. Vincent, I have read the reflections you have left about your son and daughter-in-law. They were obviously wonderful people. I cannot imagine the grief you live with each day.

I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family (from the day this occured until the present time). God Bless your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

June 21, 2004

Even though it has been five years, this coming Sunday, I still miss Joey as much as ever. This is the first year since his death that it falls on the same day of the week, and somehow that makes it even harder. Yesterday, being Fathers Day, Brooklyn took a gift to the cemetery for her dad. She said, " I miss you, Daddy and Mommy, and I love you for ever and ever". I can only imagine what that child goes through in her mind over losing both her parents. This past week, I have dreamed about Joey. I dreamed that he came back, as though he had just been away on a trip. Then when I wake up, reality slaps me full in the face. It's hard, so hard, to lose your only child. It's even harder to lose four family members at one time. Within the past four years, I have also lost my dad and mother-in-law. I really dread to see this next weekend come, but time moves on and I will make it through by God's grace. He always helps me get through the dark valleys.

Jean Vincent

June 21, 2004

Not only during Officer's Memorial Week, I reflect on the lives of our fallen heroes, particularly Joey. I knew Joey and his fellow Greenville Officers when I worked in Muhlenberg County years ago. Now that I have returned to this community, thoughts of Joey have returned as well. Especially during this Officer's Memorial Week, I want to offer my sincere condolences to his family and fellow Officers. Please know that many others grieve with you for your loss of Joey.

Detective Vincent Schmitt
Kentucky State Police

May 13, 2004

Joey, You made a difference in the lives of so many people.You are so missed by everyone we just can't understand why this had to happen.When i think about you i can always see that smile on your face.This is odd but our last conversation we talked about death.Joey you would not believe how your death affected this community.And i know you would not believe your funeral.When we crossed the bridge going toward the cemetery there was a brightness that would immediately take you eyes from all of the lights from the police cars that came to you funeral.There was so many people Joey they all loved you and Amy alot.As for Brooklyn she has your eyes but she looks just like Amy.She is a bight little girl with lots of energy.Joey your dedication to life was cut short because of man and this is hard for us to understand.

Sandra Strader

I was lucky enough to be a second cousin to Joey. You could not have asked for a better person, husband, father, son, grandson, nephew or police officer. Joey was also a preacher and conducted my dad's, his uncle's funeral. His comforting words helps us through a tough time. My dad, who was also a preacher, helped Joey in the early days of his ministry, and was proud of him as a nephew and preacher. Joey, his wife and unborn child's lives were taken at a time when celebrating a new life and the child they already had, were foremost in their lives. The sorrow we feel at his death is combined with the sorrow felt at the loss of any life but especially the life of one who has promised to serve his city, county, state and country at the expense of his own life if necessary. I salute the law enforcement officers of our country and fly my flag proudly for them. For the fallen, the flag in our hearts will always fly at half-mast.

christine wright hinsey

Officer Joey Vincent was my beloved only child. Naturally, as his Mom, I think he was a wonderful person. He was also a Baptist Minister and that inspired him to be a compassionate police officer. He was well-liked in the city that he served, even the "bad guys" respected him. His little daughter pretends to go to Heaven so she can visit her Mommy and Daddy, and boy is that a heart wrencher! Joey, you are missed as much today as you were right after you left us. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and also wonder what you would say about Brooklyn now. She has really grown and is so cute.She proudly watches you on video and misses you too. I know you are in a place where all is peace,joy,and love and I am looking forward to the day when we meet again. Love you, MOM

Jean Vincent

What a tragedy this was. I have become acquainted with Officer Vincent's mother through mutual friends, through the Internet. He was so young, and his wife. But the hope of all who knew him, according to his mother, is that they who love Christ will see him and his wife again someday in Heaven. What a blessed hope. He and his wife will be long remembered. Forever.

God bless all policemen everywhere, who put their lives on the line for us each day.

Sincerely, Glenda B., West Lafayette, Indiana

Anonymous

Sometimes I feel the need to talk about Joey and Amy because my heart still breaks. I try not to burden people when I am having a really bad day because most people think you should get on with your life considering it has been almost 2 years sine their deaths. That is easier said than done if you have never experienced this. I hope Joey & Amy know that Brooklyn is happy and well taken care of. She loves her dance class and loves going to church. She has made many friends, both young and old. Joey, your Police Dept., Mayor Ruthie, and the local Troopers still miss you and have taken Brooklyn under their wings. My prayer is that God will keep them safe.

Jean Vincent