Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt Gamble,

I have visited this sight a few times and have wanted to leave some words behind but never could think of what to say...I guess there really is nothing to say to make things better, make things right. Although I am no longer a correctional officer and soon enough will be out of law enforcement all togather, I still feel a bond with all correctional officers...I have worked in all facets of law enforcement and without a doubt correctional officers are the most overlooked segment of the community. We work in places people don't want to know about, we work with individuals that other people don't want to hear about, and in most cases we do it for less compensation than other types of officers...I have been asked several times "why," the only answer I can give, is the feeling I felt after briefing, when we were all bunched up at the door leading to the yard waiting for it to open and not know what the next shift would bring...I knew the folks standing around me would do the same thing you did and I was prepared to it for them...the ultimate sacrifice in order...To Protect the Public, Protect the Employee and To Protect the Offender...Gob Bless

Sgt Skip Edmonds
Formerly of LARC

To the entire family of Officer Gamble, I would like to take this opportunity to send you all my condolences in the lost of your loved one. This should not have happen, ODC  should take just a little time out to think of the  brave individuals  who are so willing to enter into the danger zone of Prisons daily to do a job that most are not brave enough even to attempt and do. I to am a  employee of a medium security Facility in Oklahoma, Every morning on my way into the danger zone I ask my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to walk in fornt of me and behind me and right beside me, This is the only confront I have and actually trust. I can not imagine how heavy your heart regarding the lost of your love one, I can only let you know that something has to change for the security of all staff in these dangerous jobs, I am just 1 willing to help in making a difference. My prayers will continue with your family daily, I too carry your pain....Sincerely, A CONCERNED CITIZEN

Ms. Rogers
Concerned Citizen

GAMBLE,

I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE HAD CAMERAS IN THE CONTROL ROOM THAT DAY SO YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS OUT OF THERE. I WISH DOC WOULD HAVE LISTENED A LONG TIME AGO FOR HELP IN TAKING CARE OF STAFF AND WEAPONS ISSUES. I WISH WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER A LITTLE BETTER SO WE COULD HAVE GONE FISHING. I WILL ALWAYS REMEBER YOUR LAST WORDS TO ME. I JUST WISH YOU COULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS OUT SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GIVE YOUR LIFE UP TO A MAGGOT OF SOCIETY.

I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU OR JUNE 5TH, 2000. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE ALLEN.

OFFICER W.E. CALLAWAY AKA THE PENGUIN

William Callaway
OSR

Joe

My deepest consolations to your family, friends and co-workers. Your passing does not go unnoticed. It's been too long that employers don't recognize the dangerous environment that correctional officers are constantly in. We are understaffed, underpaid and underappreciated.

CX1 Tonsaker

Paul Tonsaker
Correctional Service of Canada

ALLEN,

YOU WERE SUCH A GOOD MAN, GREAT DADDY, AND LOVING HUSBAND.  BUT, MOST OF ALL YOU ARE A HERO.  ONE THAT WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY.  YOU MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE--YOUR LIFE FOR A FRIEND IN TROUBLE.  YOUR BOYS(DENNY, DANNY, JARED, AND JOHNNY-JOE) WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF YOU, BUT MISS YOU DEARLY.  MAY YOU AND GOD WATCH OVER US AND PROTECT US.  GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO RAISE YOUR BOYS RIGHT.  MISS YOU DAILY AND LOVE YOU DEARLY.

YOUR WIFE AND BEST FRIEND,

SHERRI

sherri gamble

I did not know Sergeant Joe Allen Gamble, or anyone associated with the Oklahoma State Reformatory.  This story struck my heart as all of the stories do on the Officer Down Memorial Page.  But this one was different as my husband was a corrections officer for 14 years.  What happened to Officer Gamble was my husbands greatest fear.  To be stabbed in the neck with a shank by some low life in lock up.  Due to my husbands high blood pressure and high anxiety, he resigned in July, 1999.  His doctor told him he would have a stroke if he continued in this profession.  Law Enforcement officers have the worst jobs and the worst pay in the world.  Their lives are constantly at risk.  I beleive ALL Correction Officers should be able to carry mace, pepper spray, something to protect theirselves.  I realize that weapons can be taken away from the officers and used against them, but maybe, just maybe if the officer had mace in their possession and ready to use it on the first thug that stepped up, just maybe a officer or two would be spared.  And their loved ones would be spared the grief they must feel at such a loss. I have the up most respect for Law Enforcement Officers, my father instilled this in me the entire time I was growing up.  My husband and I both have immediate family members in law enforcement, one of which died in a car accident at age 26 in the line of duty on easter Sunday this year.  God Bless and may god comfort Sergeant Gamble's family.  Way too many officers die in the line of duty every single year.  It saddens me so, I wish there was something that I could do.

I pray the other officer injured in this assault heals and can be reunited with his family and I PRAY TO GOD that the justice system handles officer Gambles murderer appropriately.

A Sincerely Concerned Kentucky Citizen.

Anonymous

Gamble,

I remember the last time we spoke. At the kids baseball game. We were talking about work, as usual, And we agreed nothing would change at OSR until a staff member was hurt or killed. We were right but I sure am sorry it was a GOOD man like you. You are a Hero. Sgt. Callaway is healing up the best he can after 13 times in the back. He said he's ready to come back to work. I will let you know when the inmate is put on deathrow. I have'nt seen him since we took him out of the dayroom. Guess what? You wouldnt believe the changes. The administration is listening to us now, pr-24s, vest's and they may allow us to carry OC spray even. Thank You Gamble! Through your sacrifice all the staff are safer.

Sgt. Terry New
Oklahoma State Reformatory

Joe,

As I sit at home listening to my children play downstairs, I am reminded that there are Correctional Officers like you walking the tiers and floors of our nations jails and prisons. I sit here and see the names of hundreds of police and sheriff officers that have died doing their duty, but your name stuck out to me because I also walk the tiers and floors behind the walls. Most of the time we are not recognized for our contributions to the community, but we are recognized for our misgivings.

I am writing this to say goodbye to you, a fellow Corretional Officer for whom I will meet in the after life.

Cpl. Dundas Orr III
Prince Georges County, MD Department of Corrections

The Officer's stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
They hoped their shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as their brass.

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

The men squared their shoulders and
The Policeman spoke first
"No, Lord, I guess We ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

We've had to work most Sundays,
and at times our talk was rough,
and sometimes we've been violent,
Because the streets are tough.

The Corrections Officer then added,
But we never took a penny,
That wasn't ours to keep...
Though we worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And we never passed a cry for help,
Though at times we shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive us,
We've wept unmanly tears.

Together they say,
We know We don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted us around
Except to calm their fear.

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

There was silence around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Officers waited quietly,
For the judgment of their God.

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

Anonymous

I too am a corrections officer and your story has touched me. You gave your life for a fellow officer as we all would.
I pray that your family and friends will find peace. I salute you and wish you eternal peace.

Deputy J. Schoch
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office