Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy now Sarge...rest easy. To your family, friends and co-workers...I hope you can find some amount of peace in your life. Please know your loved one is never forgotten and the rest of us fight on in his honor.

Officer
Phoenix AZ

February 20, 2009

Rest in peace. Justice has been served.



Virginia Inmate Forcibly Carried to Death Chamber
Friday, February 20, 2009


Print JARRATT, Va. — An inmate declared his innocence Thursday after he was forcibly carried into Virginia's death chamber, where he was executed for gunning down a police officer.

Edward Nathaniel Bell, who was convicted of killing the officer during a foot chase a decade ago, was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m. Thursday at the Greensville Correctional Center.

When the door between Bell's cell and the death chamber opened, the inmate thrust his hips backward and wouldn't step toward to the gurney where the lethal injection was administered. Six stocky corrections officers pulled him through the doorway and lifted him onto the gurney.

"To the Timbrook family, you definitely have the wrong person," Bell said in the death chamber, addressing the victim's family. "The truth will come out one day. This here, killing me, there's no justice about it."

Bell's lawyer, who also witnessed the execution, said a sedative the inmate was given made it difficult for him to walk.

"Eddie's case is an example of how the system does not catch and correct errors," said attorney James G. Connell III.

Bell, 43, was condemned for shooting Winchester police Sgt. Ricky Timbrook as the officer chased him down a dark alley on Oct. 29, 1999. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine denied Bell's request for clemency earlier Thursday.

At least 10 current and former Winchester police officers witnessed the execution, including Winchester Sheriff Lenny Millholland.

"I can't say it's closure but it's another chapter in the life of Ricky Timbrook and it ends the chapter that included Eddy Bell," said the sheriff, who was on the police force in 1999 and investigated Timbrook's death.

Bell maintained that he did not shoot Timbrook, a 32-year-old popular police officer, SWAT Team Member and DARE instructor. Prosecutors, however, say Bell was a flashy drug dealer who held a grudge against Timbrook for arresting him two years earlier for possessing a concealed weapon.

Bell initially was scheduled to be executed last year, but Kaine pushed that back while the U.S. Supreme Court considered a Kentucky case challenging the constitutionality of lethal injections. The court upheld the method in April.

The following month, the court granted Bell a temporary reprieve to consider whether his lawyer did a poor job representing him. It later dismissed his appeal.

Bell, a father of five, met with four of his children, his sister and two women with whom he had children, his lawyer said. Connell said his client didn't request a last meal because "he remained hopeful 'til the end" for a pardon and instead ate a cheese sandwich, which was what the rest of the inmates had.

Since Timbrook's death, the city has since named a park, a public safety building, a children's outreach fund and a food-and-toy drive in honor of him.

His wife, Kelly, was pregnant with their only child, Ricky Lee Timbrook II, now 9, when Timbrook was shot.

Kelly Timbrook has been reluctant to talk to the media, but she wrote letters and appeared in a television ad for Kaine's opponent in the 2005 governor's race. She questioned whether Kaine, a Roman Catholic who is opposed to the death penalty, would uphold Bell's sentence.

Before Thursday, Kaine had allowed eight executions and commuted one sentence since he took office in 2006.

A half-dozen protesters gathered outside the prison during the execution.

"One of the scariest parts of the death penalty is that it's hard to ever be certain. And ending someone's life takes away any opportunity to correct any wrongful conviction," said Beth Panilaitis, executive director for Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Bell was the 103rd Virginia inmate executed since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976. Virginia ranks second only to Texas in the number of executions since then.

Anonymous

February 20, 2009

To the Jury of Winchester, The Judge, and the Governer, Thank You!! To the Timbrook family, we pray that this will bring some closure. And thank you Ricky for your sacrifice,which will never be forgotten..

Anonymous

February 20, 2009

God bless the family at this time.

Chief Curtman
Bloomfield, MO Police Department

February 20, 2009

May your family now have peace that justice has been done R.I.P. we all miss you Ricky

Anonymous

February 19, 2009

Over 9 years later, justice prevails. At last the Timbook family can perhaps feel some sense of peace. My prayers go out to not only the beloved family of Ricky Timbrook, (as they have since the day of his death), but also with his killers innocent children. God be with every victim of this horrible tragedy. God bless.

PLR

PLR
Resident

February 19, 2009

Sgt. Timbrook..hopefully tonight,the scumbag that murdered you will be put out of society's misery. I'm sorry it took 10 years though. Thoughts to your family.May you rest in peace.

DGN
Former Correctional Ofiicer

February 19, 2009

I know for many this has been a quite painful journey of almost 10 yrs...hopefully the path to justice will be winding down as the will of the citizens of the Commonwealth will finally be carried out in a little over 24 hrs.

Sir thank your service, as it was always an honor to wear the same uniform you did

Anonymous

February 17, 2009

Finally justice will be served, the coward who shot Sgt Timbrook will get his due.
Rest in peace & god bless your family & the Winchester Police Department.

Boomer

January 5, 2009

Thankyou SERGEANT TIMBROOK for all you did to make thid world a safer place. You are a hero for us all to look up too, and we will never forget you. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA

December 5, 2008

Sgt. Timbrook,
On today, the 9th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Winchester. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

October 30, 2008

The end of Police Week 2008 and a friend visited the DC memorial to read your name on the wall of honor and valor the day after your killer was granted a reprieve. There is still hope that justice will be served. He gave you no chance; he gave your family no chance. Such sadness.

May 18, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 8, 2008

Gone, but never, ever forgotten. It was 8 years this week that you gave the ultimate sacrifice. For that, we are eternally and forever grateful. May God bless you and your family.

With Love and Thanks,
PLR
Winchester, VA Citizen

PLR
Citizen of Winchester

October 31, 2007

8 yrs. ago toaday, you will never be forgotten. God Bless the Timbrook family & friends.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.

October 30, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 29, 2007

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you for your service.

August 12, 2007

Rick,

I have thought about you so many times over the past several years. I think about our time going to different training sessions down in Waynesboro, Va. I think about how often we talked about the future and what that might look like for the both of us. I left police work for several years and when I started back, I thought about the example you set as an officer and a true gentleman.

I consider you a friend for life. You live on in every person's heart you touched, every person you helped out in Winchester, every child you taught through the D.A.R.E. program.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends. I consider myself lucky to have known you and to be able to call you my friend.

sincerely
Officer L. Patrick Elkins

L. Patrick Elkins
Dept. of Veteran's Affairs Police

May 24, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

February 27, 2007

Rest in peace, sir. I am honored to leave a reflection for you.

Deputy
Michigan

February 25, 2007

RICKY,
WAS IT TRULY 6 YEARS AGO GOD CALLED YOU HOME,OR WAS IT JUST A WEEK AGO ?
I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE ELECTRIC CANDLE THAT BURNS A DEEP BLUE FOR YOU AND THIS TIME OF YEAR YOU SEEM TO BE SO NEAR,PERHAPS BECAUSE YOU LOVED CHRISTMAS SO VERY MUCH.
MOSTLY I KNOW ITS BECAUSE WE ALL MISS YOU BECAUSE TO SO MANY YOU WERE THEIR CHRISTMAS.
SOON THERE WILL BE SNOW FALLING AND A SOFT WISPER ON THE WIND.CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WILL LEAD THE WAY TO SO MANY EVENTS.PEOPLE WILL BE BUSY AND ALONG WITH JOY THERE WILL ALSO,BE A SADNESS IN THE AIR OF THOSES WE LOVE AND MISS.
I PRAY THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR WE ALL REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE SO VERY MUCH IN OUR HEARTS AS ALWAYS.
MAY ALL BE SAFE. LET US REMEMBER THAT YOU KNEW WHAT CHRISTMAS WAS TRULY ABOUT. YOU GAVE LOVE AWAY FREELY EVERYDAY AND ESPECIALY THIS TIME OF YEAR.MAY WE ALL GIVE A GIFT OF FOODS TOYS LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING TO SOME ONE,SOME FAMILY,SOME WHERE WHO WILL HAVE SO VERY LITTLE OR PERHAPS NOTHING AT ALL.IN YOUR NAME,I PRAY EVERY ONE WHO LOVES AND MISSES YOU ,WILL DELIVER A BOX OF CHRISTMAS JOY TO A FAMILY IN NEED.
GOD BLESS YOU,YOUR FAMILY AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU YOU A TOUCHED THEN AND EVEN NOW!
YOU ARE LOVED BY SO MANY!
DONNA,MIKES MOM

MIKES MOM,DONNA

November 26, 2006

They went with songs to the battle,

they were young,

straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

they fell with their faces to the foe.



They shall grow not old,

as we that are left grow old:

age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

we will remember them.



……..to the innermost heart of their own land they are known

as the stars are known to the night.

Anonymous

November 23, 2006

Sgt. Timbrook, today marks the 7th anniversary of your murder. I was lucky enough to visit your city a number of times when I was still with the Harvard University Police Honor Guard. We marched in the parades during the Apple Blossom Festival. No doubt you were on the job during at least one of my visits and I may have even met you. A beautiful city such as Winchester and a fine cop such as you do not deserve such a tragic event.

After these 7 years, your child has, no doubt heard many wonderful stories about you, but stories and photos cannot replace your guiding hand and love. I have no doubt that your child has always felt your presence, even if at such a young age he/she didn’t know exactly what that comforting feeling was.

My prayers go out to your family and may they continue to move on with their lives without ever forgetting you. I know they never have and never will.

I believe with all my heart that your murderer has or will meet with true justice, if not in this world, then the next.

God Bless you and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

October 30, 2006

May He bless you and your loved ones.

October 30, 2006

Warrior.

Anonymous

October 21, 2006