Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Sweet Bear,
It is early this Sunday morning and I am unable to sleep. I can't seem to get you out of my mind. I want to reach out and touch your face and hear your laugh and hear you tell me everything is going to be alright. There are so many things going on in our lives right now and I am trying to keep everything in focus and do what is right. I keep thinking about what you would do and attempt to use your wisdom by just dwelling on your heart and making choices that you would. I constantly remember things we talked about before we ever knew anything would happen to you and focus on what our relationship was to put things into perspective now to attempt to keep going.
The weather is cooling off and the bike is ready to be taken for a ride. Whitney is waiting anxiously as well to take a long ride. That seems to be her favorite thing to do "with you". She just finished basketball season and what a great little player she is turning out to be. Those games were so intense and her team was 7 - 1. Not bad for first time playing.
Lacy and Joe and praying about changes in their life now and they need guidance and wisdom to know what will be best for their future. Jobs and school are so important and they are really striving to make wise choices. I do wish you were able to be here to enjoy this part of her new life. She is making such a sweet wife and their home is so precious. She is even hosting Thanksgiving this year.
I still see several Deputy's often and make sure you are not forgotten. They have been very good to us and that would make you proud of them.
As we near the 3 year anniversary of you going home, it is hard to believe we have gone this long without your jokes and laughter sounding throughout the house.
I suppose I should go fix some breakfast and wake up the house for church. I just wanted to tell you I love you and miss you more than I ever dreamt possible. C

October 26, 2003

We are deeply saddened by this senseless murder. Rest in peace brother. Your service to your community is appreciated by all of us. May God bless you, your fellow co-workers and the survivors of your family.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

October 14, 2003

To the Hill family May I say God Bless you.
David's sacrifice will always be remembered.

God please lay your wonderful blessings upon this family.
Cathy continue to be strong and god bless you lady.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Constable Pct 2

September 1, 2003

8-21-03
HAPPY 41st BIRTHDAY, BARRY. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

Anonymous

August 21, 2003

8/21/03
41 today. We miss you so much and wonder how we have gone on without you. So many things have happened since that morning you were taken from us. Lacy is a beautiful wife to a precious man and Whitney is the most adorable child. She is so much like you - it is amazing. She misses you more than any of us can even imagine. Her memories are not as many as the rest of us and yet for us she is you in living form. You would be so proud of her.
Happy Birthday Bear - I love you always.

August 20, 2003

Today Is Memorial Day. I went to Veteran's Cematary to visit Oscar Hill's Grave. I discovered that Barrett Hill(no relation to Oscar) was also buried there. I had the honor to meet his family there. They took me to the kill site where they erected a small monument. I remember Deputy/Specialist Hill always laughing and smiling. From the time we were Jailers, we attended the same classes. We worked together, attended Jail School and the Academy together. During this, he played practical jokes and impersonated Elvis. The news was a shock to me and still is. Barry is very sorely missed.

Deputy Elbert Robinson
Harris County Sheriff's Department

BARRY I NEVER KNEW YOU BUT IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HEARD OF YOUR LIFE THROUGH YOUR SWEETHEART WIFE, RESPECTFUL DAUGHTER AND WONDERFUL PARENTS. I RESPONDED THAT MONDAY MORNING WHEN I HEARD AL CALLED FOR HELP AND CAME AS FAST AS I COULD TO HELP. NOW I WANT TO HELP YOUR EVER LOVING FAMILY AS MUCH AS I CAN. HELP J.C. AND JOE PATROL HEAVEN AND LOOK OVER ALL OF US IN DIST 1

A DIST. 1 DEPUTY
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.

Your contribution to the law enforcement profession will never be forgotten. My prayers are with your family as they continue to heal. Your body may not be here, but your spirit will never be forgotten.

DEPUTY
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.

I believe God blessed each and everyone of us that had the honor of knowing Barry. The joyous energy that was felt everytime he was around, is something I will never forget. He was an incredible friend that in his own unique way looked out for all of us. Even when we did not realize it he was looking out for us. I can not help but know he is looking out for us again in his own unique way from heaven above. Every now and then when I feel a crazy grin coming on for no apparent reason I think of Barry.
Thank you Barry for making me feel like a part of your family. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.
To the Hill family, May God Bless You All.

Carol Ebersole
Harris County Sheriff's Dept.

Hi Shug - We all miss you so much..........

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Love, Mom

Jean Hill

Barry was never at a lack for comic relief. His laughter and sense of humor will ring in my heart forever. I cherish the precious poems he wrote for me over the years. I have loved this man for 20 years now and miss him terribly. I take sweet comfort in knowing his relationship with Jesus Christ was honored when he took his last breath he bowed at the feet of God. I am honored to be Mrs. Barrett Hill.

Cathy Hill

I did not have the privelidge of knowing Deputy Sheriff Hill, but I would like to leave him the following tribute which I find very comforting.

"The Creation of Peace Officers"

When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform.

"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day. He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't
sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Author unknown

Anonymous

To date, 5/6/01, it's been just a little over 5 months since I lost my oldest brother. Every day, I wake up and and pray, "Lord, please give my mother and father strength to get through this day. Please give Cathy the courage to get through each hour and watch over Lacy and Whit. They need your comforting arms around them." Every night, I'm hoping just to see a glimpse of my brother in a dream. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I miss him terribly. I think most of all, I miss his laughter. I love you, Barry.

Buffy

There are times in life when people die and you have this since of "It should have been me." Barry is one of those times for me. He WAS alot of what I strive for. His serving, giving and compasionate ways. Barry was truly loved by all and he loved everyone. Especially his family. I pray that when my time comes I will leave a mark on the people around me similar to the impression Barry left on all of us.

Sandra Rawlins
Friend

The world is a little less brighter with Barry gone. Our loss is heaven's gain. I will always remember his smile and laughter. How he loved teens and was an inspiration to my girls! He was an example of the best that man can be.
Lacy and Whitney, there never was prouder daddy! Cathy, his devotion to you was obvious.

It will be a bright day when we are all reuntied in Heaven. May the Lord keep you and sustain you until then. We love you and are praying for you.

Linda Zimmerman
friend

Barry Hill was a godly man, a loving husband, a committed father, a thoughtful son, a faithful brother and a true friend. His legacy lives on in the lives of his wonderful family - and especially in the life of his incredible wife and two beautiful daughters. My life was blessed by Barry and every one of his family members. As his Pastor - I can only pray that we will see more and more officers like him coming through the training programs in Harris County. It is no surprise that he gave his life in the service of others - because that is the way he lived his life. He was a blessing to all who knew him. He was a tribute to his profession and I am grateful to have known him. He carried a card in his wallet with his badge - and when his wife opened it up she found it. It was his life verse found in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Barry will be missed - but he will never be forgotten.

Dr. Forrest Lowry
LifeWay Ministries

I new Berry when he began his law enforcement career as a Military Police Officer for The U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. He was ever ready to assist anyone needing help. He was an outstanding LEA that could be counted on.

A great friend and a fellow Brother in Christ.

CSM Ret. Bill Kennard
Military Intelligence

Deaths are a horrible loss.

Explorer Ostby
VC Sheriff's Dept

Deputy Travis Died Five months after my son. He left behind the dearest treasures anyone could have. A loving family and lots of friends.Ive been to four Police funerals just this year.When he Bagpipes start playing and the Honor Guard takes there positions i can hardly stand the sadness. Deputy Travis belonged to the best outfit in the Whole World. Everyone should be proud of the job he did" Even though he was here for a very short time.The surviving Family will not be forgotten.There are no perfect words that can be said' Except be strong and be proud. Kenny

Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa counyy Sheriffs dept

Barry was so proud of his wife, children and parents. He was active in Spring Baptist Church. His legacy will go on through his wonderful wife, children.

Barry was a real friends, friend.

Erma Dearing

Barry stood tall in faith as well as stature. He was a true blessing to his family and friends.

"Gone but not Forgotten"

Uncle Rick & Aunt Margarette

Margarette Adkins
Harris County Sheriff's Dept.

May God hold our brother until we meet again. Take care of him Lord.

Deputy Chuck Bryan
Harris County Sheriff's Department

He was a great guy. During the Academy, he always had a smile and a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was loved by many. He will be missed greatly.

Anonymous

I appreciate this Deputy's dedication to "his calling" in life. My highest respects and appreciation to this officer who was so committed and dedicated. Bravery exemplified!
His character, to me, speaks of his parents, who raised him - a job well done! They should be most proud of their son! Earth's loss is surely Heaven's gain. God Bless, you, Mom and Dad....

Civilian, Charlotte Sutherland
Harris County Sheriff's Department

Barry, Pat and I new you as a baby, you were almost the same age as our oldest daughter, we watched you grow for a couple of years then everyone was transfered or was discharged from the U.S.Marines. We kept in touch with you Mom and Dad all these forty years. You will always be in our hearts and we will remember you in our prayers. God Bless you and Rest in Peace.

Pat and Dave Kleen

Burnet, Texas

David and Patricia Kleen
Family Friends