Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy blue angel, you are not forgotten.

Anonymous

September 14, 2003

STEVE I KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW THINKING OF PRACTICAL JOKES TO PULL ON YOUR FRIENDS WHO WILL ONE DAY JOIN YOU PATROLING THE GOLDEN STREETS. YOU ARE THOUGHT OF OFTEN AND C.J. TALKS OFTEN OF ALL THE FUN YOU GUYS HAD WORKING PCT. 3. HE ALSO TALKS OF THE MANY PRANKS AND PRACTICAL JOKES YOU WERE ALWAYS PULLING, AS WELL AS THE FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS YOU TWO SHARED. TO THIS DAY ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER YOU STILL BRING A SMILE TO HIS FACE. YOU NOT ONLY MADE THE STREETS SAFE, YOU BROUGHT GREAT JOY TO THOSE WHO KNEW YOU. YOU ALWAYS WERE SMILING WHEN EVER I SAW YOU. CONTINUE TO SMILE AND REMEMBER C.J. TO GOD WHILE YOU ARE THERE AS HE CONTINUES ON IN L.E.

THE QUALITY OF A PERSON'S LIFE

DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES

OF HIS LIFE

AS MUCH AS THE ATTITUDE

WITH WHICH HE FACES THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES

JAVAN

R MAPES
COBB CO SO/RETIRED

To the family of Steve Reeves... You are in my thougts and prayers. I recently lost my sister to an auo accident in the line of duty. I know the heartbreak and sense of loss you are feeling. My husband worked with Steve and from all I hear he was a wonderful man and a great officer. May time help ease your pain. God Bless You.

Danitia Dunkerton

For all the officers and deputies who have lost their lives protecting the ones who say "I pay your salary", may you rest in peace. You have done your time in hell, may youstart your patrol on the streets of heaven.

Starsha Allen
Kern County Sheriff

Dear Steve,

I'm sorry that I dont have any funny or touching stories about you.
Unfortunately I never got the chance to meet you. Not until that fateful
night, but not a day goes by that I do not think about you. You see I was
there that night. I was on the ambulance that took you to the hospital. We
had been sitting up there at the end of that road most of the night "just in
case". Never did we think that we would actually be needed. My heart fell
to my feet when they started screaming for us to get in there. We were only
about 300 yards away, but it wasnt close enough to save you. I am so sorry
that we couldn't do anything to help you. God knows we tried our hardest.
All of us that night put our lives on the line trying to save you guys.
Never once did we think that we shouldn't go in because the scene wasnt safe.
One of our own was down and our instincts kicked in. I wouldn't give it a
second thought if I had to do it again. But this is one call that I hope I
never have to run again.

They say that the greatest sorrow of life is witnessing. Watching your
family, friends and fellow officers go through this was tough. We all know
that we did everything we could to try to save you that night, but it didnt
make it any easier.

Something Chief Barton said to me helped me a little. He said " I want to
thank you for everything you guys did for my men that night. We were out
there in kevlar vests, with guns on our side and all you guys had were you
spirits, a jump bag and some band aids. You guys being up there waiting, it
made our decisions that night easier."

Chief if you read this, We will be up there anytime you need us. Steve, I
hope God is watching over you guys. You will always be in my thoughts and
prayers.

Rain Scatters plum petals;

Weeping stains the earth.

One can only take shelter

And wait for the clearing.

Charlotte Huggins, EMT
American Medical Response

I was deeply saddened to hear about the murder of Sgt. Reeves and fellow Officer Gilner during a SWAT raid. I feel such a deep loss for their families, coworkers and friends. May God Bless Them ALL!

Anonymous

To all Cobb County Police Dept Members, what a fine job you all did in honoring these two brave men. I watched the funeral and was proud of you all. You all make such great sacrifices each and every day and Steve Reeves and Stephen Gilner made the ultimate sacrifice. They laid down their lives to protect another. I found comfort in the statements of your fellow officers about the sense of humor of these men and the warm memories. Don't ever doubt what you do, you are in the noblest of professions. God bless you all!

CO Robin Robertson
Gwinnett County Police Dept, Ga

Sir,

On behalf of all the men and women of the Bossier City Police Dept. God Bless You!!! You gave the ultimate sacrifice that every police officer in the world thinks about day in and day out. My heart goes out to you and your family, but I know that God is watching over ya'll, so everything will be O.K. Sir, even though I never knew you, you have my utmost respect. Rest in Peace and save us a spot in Heaven.

Ptl. Ofc. Jason L. Stinson
Bossier City P.D. - Louisiana

May god take both your hands and watch after you both the way you have looked after us and kept us safe! God rest both your souls in peace now and let us, your brothers and
sisters continue the fight against the evil on this earth! On behalf of our Public Safety Department, our hearts go out to your families!!!

Sgt. Christine Skinner
Canisius Public Safety

I am a fellow SWAT Operator and I wish to send my sorrow for the loss of two "Brothers in Arms!" You will be greatly missed and I hope your families can be comforted as best as possible. Just remember that your Brothers WILL fight on and "SEMPER FIDELIS!"

Deputy Shilo Garner
Union County Sheriff's Office

The Policeman stood and faced his 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 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 awful 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 times 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 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 borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.

You've done your time in hell."

-Author Unknown

Submitted Anonymously

It saddens me to see two more brothers leave us.

We will miss you both, but will fight on, for you and all the

other fallen brothers and sisters will be by our side.

You will not be forgotton, God bless you both.

CPL. Chris Norton
Skokomish Dept. Fish & Wildlife

Living and working for a surrounding counties agency, I followed the standoff through the night and was heartbroken to find out that Sgt Reeves and Ofc Gilner were both killed in the line of duty. I cannot imagine the depth of both their families grief, but I hope that all the words and displays of respect and love will begin to help them heal. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family of Sgt Reeves.

CTO Toni Wyman
Gwinnett County Police Dept, GA

my prayers are with your wife and kids rest in peace brother

lynn morris
carroll county sheriff

On behalf of my department, I would like to express our sorrow to the family of Deputy Gilner. His loss is felt by the entire law enforcement community.

Chief Stephen Mandish
Industry, PA Police Dept

On behalf of the FBI Agents Association I wish to express my sincere sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt. Reeves. Rest In Peace.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI

I did not know either Sgt. Reeves or Officer Gilner, other than as my fellow
brothers of the badge. I found out about their deaths when I returned from a
vacation to Gettysburg PA. It just brings home the words that I saw at the
place where 136 years ago, Abraham Lincoln tried to make sense of the deaths
of thousands. If I may quote a part of his speech, it could have been
written about the death of a law enforcement officer.

" We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place
for those who gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether
fitting and proper that we do this.

But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can
not hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world
will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated
here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far nobly
advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion
to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this
nation, under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of
the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the
earth."

Abraham Lincoln

November 19 1863

May God bless you and keep you all in his care.

Lt. Michael Williams
U.N.C. Hospitals Police Department

The men and women at the Wilmington Police Department, Wilmington NC send our somber condolences. We didn't know you, but for someone to take the both of you at one time, and leave two families grieving at once, we bend a knee, and put our badges in mourning. Our heartfelt sympathies bequest you.

Sgt. Jason Tyson
Wilmington Police Dept. Wilmington NC

God always plucks the best flowers. God bless and keep your family.

Rev. Arlen G. Griffin, Jr.
Turner Chapel A.M.E. - Marietta, GA

Its hard to express the pain that I feel, when I hear of an Officer being killed in the line of duty. Even though I never met Sgt. Reeves or Officer Gilner personally, we do share a love for the job and a bond to our fellow Officers in a time of need. It doesn't matter what Department you work for, we all feel the pain. It makes me feel as if I lost a family member.

One of my friends daughters called me her "Hero" because she found out that I was a police officer. It made me feel good to know that even our kids can be proud of what Police officers do for a living. My Pastor said this about police officers that die in the line of duty. These Officers are true Heroes, because they put their life on the line for all of us every day, not because it is their job, but because it's what they want to do! Its a true calling to take a job that too few people want to do, and even fewer people can do! Sgt. Steve Reeves and Officer Stephen Gilner, you are my HEROS you came to the aide of your fellow Officers in need. But most of all, you put your life on the line for someone you didn't even know. And you did this every day!!!

Officer David A. Picciolo
Federal Protective Service Police

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for the families of these two officers. I understand the depth of their pain and all consuming grief they feel. I too lost a loved one in the same manner. My Brother-in-law, Pierce County Sheriff Deputy John Bananola was killed during a drug raid in 1995. Time does help heal. Let family, loved ones, and fellow officers help you through your grief and don't be afraid to reach out to others that have been where you are now. God be with your grieving families and your law enforcement brothers.

Angela Wright

Steve,

I just wanted to let you know that you are a true hero! and I know you will be missed very very much. I takes a very special breed to be a police officer and the small amount of pay that you recieve for making the ultimate sacrifice. I know that you are in the Lords hand and he will take care of you as you patrol the golden streets of heaven so in closing for now "Rest Well Warrior, Rest Well". I know I will see you again in heaven !

P.S. When you see Robbie Bishop tell him we Love Him!!

See ya Bro,

Chief Dean Maddox
Villa Rica Police Department, GA

May God Bless You And Your Family

Patrolman Kenneth Herring
Columbus Police Dept. Columbus, GA

Rest easy, brother. You faced what most won't. Your family though sad should know that you are a hero. And never forgotten.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

11:30p.m. July 23rd.. It's been 2 years now. You were the strong one, the flippant one, the jokester. You kept me going. You were my best friend. I know you are with God now and I know that you are at peace now, but not a day goes by that I'm okay with that. No one will ever replace you.

Someday we will see you and be with you again - finally. Wait for us, okay? We love you, man! You are my hero. You are OUR hero. 56

Anonymous