Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We can't believe it your little Aren is going to be out of school. We have watched him grow and know this he turned out to be a very good boy and now young man. One that a father would be proud to call son. To know that he has done well would make you proud. His mother your wife Shelly has done her best to set a good example before him.
Know this not a day goes by that you are not thought of. The beat goes on day after day and night after night..

Capt. Mike Simmons & Wife Mary
Hohenwald Police Dept/ Tennessee

May 15, 2008

Hey Dad! I am just sitting here getting ready to graduate here come Friday. I have thought alot how you should be here to see me graduate and send me off to college in a few months. I always think about you when I umpire and how you would handle a situation. It is still not fair that you are gone from us here. Everyone tells me that I look like you when I umpire. Dad you are always with me and on my mind I love you and miss you.

Aren Ragsdale
Son

May 13, 2008

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice. You are a true hero to us all and will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

March 8, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

January 29, 2008

Alan, seven years has come and gone since you were taken from us,the pain I felt that fateful is still with me. I know you are in a better place and that some day we will meet again.Until then keep watching over us from Heaven.Rest in peace blue angel,you may gone from this life ,but not our hearts and never forgotten. your brother Elton Ragsdale.

Elton Ragsdale
City of Spring Hill Tn. Public Works

December 19, 2007

it's been 7 years, but grief isn't measured in years. The
sweetest things have been written about you here. Even though I didn't know you in this life, I look forward
to spending time with you in the next. God, be near to
those who still miss Alan and bring them comfort.
Thank you for your fine example, Alan.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

November 28, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, Nh

November 27, 2007

Seven years have passed but you have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

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

November 27, 2007

We miss and love you Alan.
Love Guy, Kelly, Tyler, Hayden, Erica and Jake

Guy and Kelly Ragsdale
cousin

October 11, 2007

Well Buddy its been six years and it still hurts at the tragic loss of a dear friend. Ive moved on from Hohenwald and Lewis County and several others like Tommy and Brent have as well but yu are still in our hearts and prayers along with your whole family.
Well Alan you protect the streets of heaven and Ill protect the streets here on earth and one day brother we'll meet again and talk about old times.

Ofc. John Smith Jr.
Spring Hill Tn. Police Dept.

November 28, 2006

Six years have passed since your end of watch and you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. Your loved ones and the Blue Family will keep your memory alive forever. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol guarding the Thin Blue Line. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

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

November 26, 2006

Again,
As we come up on the Anniversary of your untimely
demise, You will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, for the ULTIMATE
SACRIFICE that you made to keep the citizens of your/our
City and County safe...
Thank You, Alan.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers, and always
will be!!!
GOD's Love and Peace, Always...

FR/EMT Charles Wilson
Volunteer

November 1, 2006

Thank You, Alan.
You will always be in the prayers of our family!

God's Love,
The Charles Wilson Family...
Hohenwald, TN.

Citizen of Hohenwald
Lewis County

September 24, 2006

You sound like a truely wonderful man.May you Rest in peace and may Our Lord continue to comfort and strengthen your loved ones.

June 24, 2006

Officer Ragsdale your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in Gods Care now. May you rest in peace brother.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

December 13, 2005

Thinking of you and your family today.
God Bless You,
Tracey DeLitta Tousley
Daughter of David Robert DeLitta
eow 10-28-88

Tracey DeLitta Tousley
Daughter of David Robert DeLitta EOW 10-28-88

November 27, 2005

Alan it has been almost five years and in this time since you were taken from us I have seen others in our family join you, lulu, anthony, granddaddy and granny hinson,DALE .you know who i mean and even my old basset hound kirby just last week. i dont think it ever stops hurting.when the pain does stop ,iwill be on my way to meet you. until then, i love and miss you. peanut.

elton ragsdale brother
spring hill water dept.

March 23, 2005

HEY AL--------IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I MISS HAVING YOU IN MY LIFE. YOU NOW HAVE A GRANDSON WHICH WHOM YOU WILL NEVER MEET IN PERSON (UNTIL WE GET TO HEAVEN). HE IS A WONDERFUL BABY, HIS NAME IS BRAXTON ELI BURKEEN. SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM CHURCH INCLUDING YOUR BEST FRIEND RANDALL SIMMONS THINKS THAT BRAXTON LOOKS JUST LIKE AREN WHEN HE WAS THAT SMALL. WELL I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL BABY AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I STILL THINK OF YOU EVERY DAY....I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TERRIBLY. SEE YOU AGAIN SOME SWEET DAY.

CARRIE APRIL
DAUGHTER

December 16, 2004

I was blessed to know Alan also. The summer before he was taken away, my family was on vacation in Destin, FL. Returning to our condo after a walk on the beach, we heard someone calling our name. It was Alan and his family and they were staying in the same building. While Shelly and I sat by the pool watching our boys play and talking about "what a small world", our husbands stood by the fence, looking out toward the ocean and talked for about 2 hours. Later I asked my husband what they talked about for so long and didn't really get an answer. I still don't know what they talked about but I am sure some of the conversation was about the Lord, their families and law enforcement. Alan was a wonderful person and is missed by my family and this community. I have watched his son Aren over the last 4 years and he is growing up to be a good man just like his dad. Keep it up Aren, I'm sure your dad is so proud of you.

Jami Fielder Spears
Friend of Alan & Shelly

December 8, 2004

Dear Officer,

Thank you, thank you for not asking why. Thank you for going to that alarm that night, no questions asked. Thank you for doing your sworn duty with pride and dedication. Thank you for putting other people lives on a higher pedestal then your own. I thank you very much Officer. I too am new to the job and have only served for less two years. To your wife, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Ragsdale, Know that you have the support of many of your late husbands brothers in blue. I will say a prayer for you tonight, on the anniversary of your heroic husbands death. Always remember, His watch on Earth may be over, but don't you worry Mrs. Ragsdale, his watch from above will never be over. Thank you Officer Ragsdale. Thank you.

Officer Chris Cornelius, Hubbardston Police. Comm. of Massachusetts.

PTLM Christopher Cornelius-Badge 117
Hubbardston Dept. of Police, MA

November 27, 2004

Officer Ragsdale is now a beautiful blue angel, and he will always be remembered as a hero. His was the ultimate sacrifice, and at the time his light left this world Heaven's Light shone brighter still. He was a devoted husband, father, officer, son, and is sorely missed by his precious family and the community which he so proudly served. Father please remind him today how very proud all who knew him remain almost four years after he left us.

Jane Tatum

November 15, 2004

Alan was a friend of mine, a personal friend. He began as an officer at Memorial Park in Hohenwald. I had known him well before then but really got to know him even better as he rode his golf cart around the park. I would pull up beside him and Coach Eugene Grinder, the director of the park, and we would share dips of snuff... HA He would cock his head and spit off the cart so as not to whack Coach Grinder with the juice...

He asked me often about getting a job with the city police department, as I worked at city hall and I did my best to influence his hiring. He eventually was hired as an officer. He was an extremely proud and dedicated officer. He was as proud of his wife and kids as he was the job.

Just a night or two before his death, Jeanne and I pulled up beside his patrol car which was in the parking lot across from his car. Being that I was a former police officer of eight years, I always liked "talking shop." We started talking about the vests that the guys now wore and how one of the officers refused to wear his. Alan told us that he always wore his vest because he loved his wife and kids and felt obligated to wear it.

A few nights later, as we sat at home, we heard the call come over the scanner that an officer was down. We learned shorlty from another officer that it was Alan. He died later that night.

After the conversation I had with him just a few nights earlier, I am convinced that God indeed knows best and had plans for Alan, and his family, that we surely don't quite realize. I know that he was a good man, a Christian man, and a man of faith and I long to meet him again... where we maybe we can "share a dip."

God bless you Shelly and kids, we love you and often think of you and Alan.

Don & Jeanne

Don & Jeanne Jones
The Hodgepodge

November 15, 2004

I knew Alan for many years before he went home to be with our Lord. Alan was a wonderful man, who thought more of others than he did himself. I remember hearing once when someone had asked him about his step children. He stated that, "The only steps I have are the ones leading up to my door." Now that is a man who showed no partiality and loved his fellowman. I was so tickled when Alan was hired by the Hohenwald Police Department. He had wanted it for so long. He wanted to serve his community and he did it very well.
I am proud of you Alan, and I miss you. For those of you who never met Alan, you missed an opportunity to meet a true man of God. Rest in peace my friend and know that your family is in God's hands. Salute, Officer Ragsdale.

Debbi Bowen

November 13, 2004

06/18/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Ragsdale.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 18, 2004

Al,
You would really be proud of Aren. He is walking in your footsteps literally. This summer he is umpiring at the park. When he left the house in his uniform I cried, it was just like you hadn't left and you were the one going to umpire. Aren is going into high school this fall. He has made the basketball team and is very excited. He plans on trying out for the tennis team. Oh, yeah before I forget, Aren complained of sore feet when he got home....sounded just like you. Also, this coming up week at the ceremony for Police Week at city hall he is going to read a poem that he thought was appropriate.....
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, His comforting hand reduces fear to naught; He makes me walk through streets of crime, But He gives me courage and peace of mind.
He leads me by still waters in the path I trod, And He says in Romans I'm a "minister of God," He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul, For His name's sake He keeps me whole.
When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door, I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more; For Thou art with me every step of the way, As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.
He prepares a table, especially for me, As I work daily among life's enemies; He gives me authority to uphold the law, And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, Each day of my life through eternity; As I long to hear Him say, "Well done...," When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.
(Author Unknown)

I miss you as much today as when you died.

Shelly Ragsdale
widow

May 8, 2004