Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced 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 of us 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 awfully 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 time 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 a 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 born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 15, 2004

As a former Zone 3 Atlanta Police Officer for five years, i've worked with sherry during special events during the time i was assigned to the AHA tac team helping them serve narcotic warrants. I remember her for her help and i will be thankful always. you will be remembered.
z-man

officer f.g.zimmermann
city of portsaintlucie police dept. fla

May 9, 2004

With each APD officer that bequeaths the ultimate sacrifice of life, the rest of us are left to grapple with the loss. Sherry, there are not enough words in the world to honor your memory and all others that have fallen. You touched many more officers lives then you know, mine included. As long as I can find an ear willing to listen, I will continue to pay homage to your memory by whispering your legacy. I will never forget.

Anonymous
Atlanta PD

May 4, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Williams on the anniversary of her death.

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

Gone but never forgotten....May this Warrior Rest in Peace..and May Her Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends find peace in their hearts....Your sacrifice, Sister in Bue will not be in vain....

Officer Debra S. McFall
East Buffalo Twp P.D. Lewisburg, Pa.

March 27, 2004

I first met Sherry when I was a recruit. She was one of the few people that would stop and say hello and ask me questions about the signals and codes we had to learn prior to the academy. She always had a big smile and pleasant demeanor. Being a recruit was difficult and since meeting her, I have tried to treat a new recruit the same way she treated me because it was nice knowing someone actually cared.

EH
Atlanta Police Dept

September 28, 2003

This is a very sad situation. I prayers go out to the family and friends of Investigator Williams.

Anonymous

We go in where others run from, do what others won't, protect those in need, serve for pride not for pay, and sometimes pay the ultimate sacriface so that others won't have to. Rest now my sister and know that your sacriface was not in vain. There are those who will step up to the plate say "Yes I will do what needs to be done". To the family and friends know that your pain now and in the future is heard by the LORD above and "He will wipe all the tears from your eyes" Vaya con DIOS mi hermana en azul.

BPA E. Sherman
United States Border Patrol

My class just graduated from basic mandate class at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah,Ga. on 05-23-01. During our graduation our class donated to the L.E.T.C. a plaque in honor of Inv. Lyons- Williams. We decided before we graduated to dedicate our class in her honor. We hope one day that her family will get to come to Savannah to see the plaque with her on it. May GOD bless you, and we will always keep you dear to our hearts Mam.
We are proud that you served in "The Thin Blue Line"!!

Class Members
Basic mandate class of 03/01

Mike Davis
Basic Law Enforcement Class of 03/01

As I read the list today of my fallen brothers and sisters in law enforment. I came across Sherry Lyons-Williams who was a Investigator with the Alanta Police department. My sister you were on the front lines of a war on drugs, crime and evil in our society. You did your best to keep your community safe and gave your life for it. It's takes guts to do the job. You have worked so hard, rest now and sleep the rest of us will carry on your fight. You did your job and we are proud. I did not know you but I am proud to say your name. God has Blessed you Sherry and now you are with him and there is no greater blessing than that...

Deputy Sheriff M.K. Burns Sr
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

In Loving memory of officer that died in the line of duty,bravery and honor we officers would like to commend our deepest sympathy to the family of the officer and the partners that was in the line of duty while being performed and got killed . We here send our prayers.

Anonymous

Dear Sister - May God be with your family during this time of grief. May they find comfort in many happy memories. You are a hero. I look forward to meeting you in heaven.

Officer Sandy Redmon
Montgomery County, MD Police

IN A TIME SUCH AS THIS IT MAKES US ALL REALIZE HOW PRECIOUS OUR LIVES ARE AND HOW DANGEROUS THIS JOB IS. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS OF DET. LYONS-WILLIAMS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE AND PEACE OF MIND.

OFC. L. GOINS
ORLANDO POLICE DEPT.

So many times we here people say, "That stupid cop, If they didn't have a badge....." or "Don't they have something better to do?" The answer is no, they don't. Whatever task is involed in the completion of their job, they do it. Sometimes they sit for hours watching traffic, sometimes they jump into freezing water to pull someone to safety and sometimes they run into a building to arrest a drug dealer and get shot. Everyday however, they put on that badge and strap on that belt knowing that they may not come home that night. They do it willingly and with pride. So, then next time you hear someone say "If they did'nt have that badge.." finish their sentence with " who would protect our children?" or if they ask "Don't they have something better to do?" interupt with "than to risk their lives keeping our streets safe?"

God bless all those who have fallen and all those who knew and loved them.

Randy Stringfellow
citizen and friend of a fallen officer

To the family of Officer Lyons-Williams:
I am sorry for your loss.

Police Officer Jason Ayres
Columbus Ohio

Although I did not know Investigator Lyons-Williams personally, everyone I have came in contact with tells a wonderful story of her life.

It is such a tragedy that simply because our men and women in blue must wear a "shield", it sometimes becomes a target for preditors in our society.

On behalf of the Georgia Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors(C.O.P.S.)we offer our greatest appreciation and respect to Sherry for giving so much to protect our freedom and property.

Roger D. Parker
Georgia Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS)

Tree,

My Grandmother left these words of comfort shortly before her death in 1997. I hope that they may comfort you.

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak to me in th easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at those little jokes we enjoyed. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let me be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it was. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval...very near, just around the corner.

Francie
Ellijay

Sherry, you were truly an inspiration to me. From the first time I met you assisting on a narcotics reversal at 1155 Simpson, I knew that you were the type of officer/investigator I aspired to be. You will be greatly missed by everyone in this police department but especially to those that you worked so closley with. You are my Hero! Till we meet again... So long Shorty!

Det. L.B. Minter
Atlanta Police Gang Unit

As with any other law enforcement officer i mourn the loss of Sherry Lyons-Williams. Although I did not known her, her family or anyone at her department she will be missed. All officers are united into thier own family once they place on the uniform and pin on thier badge. My prayer go out to everyone in her family and at her department, I know she will be missed. I have only been in this line of work for 1 year and I am only 19 but I understand how dangerous and serious this line of work is. To everyone who reads this take a moment to remeber how important each officer is and what life would be like without people like Investigator Lyons-williams.

D/O Brenda Houston 2348

Fayette County Sheriff Department

detention officer brenda houston
fayette county sheriff department

To Those I Love

To Those I Love and those who love me.

When I am gone, release me and let me go.

I have so many things to see and do

You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

How much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you fofor the love you each have shown

But now it's time I travelled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for awhile that we must part

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be very far away, for life goes on

So if you need me, call me and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near

And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear

All my love around you, soft and clear.

And then when you must come this way alone

I'll greet you with a smile and a

"Welcome Home"

To the family and friends,

Just remember that God loves you. And to Vincent, I wish you God's speed that your arm gets better soon.

Shanita Wright-Gardner
Wright Inc.

TO MY SISTER IN BLUE. YOU LOST YOUR LIFE DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVED TO DO. MY YOU REST IN PEACE FOREVER.....

DETECTIVE ALFRED HENDERSON
HARTFORD POLICE DEPT.

I, too, have found myself grieving the death of Detective Sherry Lyons-Williams and have visited the Officer Down Memorial Page to see what others have written about her. I'm deeply saddened that there are so many people in law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty. So many people take for granted the law enforcement profession and assume it's just another job with a paycheck. Unfortunately, I used to be one of those people-only because I didn't think about the risks these officers take everyday. I never stopped to actually thank a police officer for protecting me and my family and far greater - for putting their life in jeopardy to keep me safe. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you who are in law enforcement. You are our angels on earth. As for Detective Lyons-Williams, you have served your people well, and your family and co-workers should be so proud of what you have accomplished. My sympathy and prayers are with your family.

Jean L. Wheeler
Gwinnett County Citizen

I was once employed by the Atlanta Police Department and that is how I came in contact with Investigator Sherry Lyons-Williams. I remember her as a "Quiet Spirit" always with a smile. From reading some of the reflections and the interviews with her family (especially her husband,& Sister), co-workers, and friends, Sherry was one very "special" person. Although her life was short to us here on earth, I find comfort in the belief that that is just the way God intended it to be. She was here on borrowed time, she was not ours to keep. Hopefully all that came in contact with her received her message of love, peace and hope. God sent her here to deliver that message and now he has taken her back, there is work for her to do in the heavens above, see she's helping to prepare for a great and glorious convention in the sky, the day when we will crown Jesus, "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords" and if we all live like Sherry we'll be there on that great day and we will all meet her again. To her family, friends, and co-workers, be strong, hold on and when there is nothing left for you to do "JUST STAND" and know that God will see you through!!!

Jennifer L. Smalls, Former ID Technician
Atlanta PD

When I first heard of the shooting, I felt immediate sorry. When I learned that one of the officers involved was Sherry, I had a hard time dealing with this for the next couple of days. I remember Sherry as a patrol officer on her break coming in to a local video store where I was employed. She would ask about her favorite movies being available. If it wasn't available, she would say jokingly, "You better have my movies next time". Then she would show off that million dollar smile. Before she and her co-workers would leave, I would tell them to be careful. I think the most important thing that she would display was that she was proud and enjoyed her profession very much. The City Of Atlanta has lost a model police officer and citizen. Sherry, I know that you have just been reassigned by God and you are continuing your wonderful accomplishments and I'm just proud to have known you. I hope that one day I can see you again Sherry....In heaven.

God Bless!

Fred Lavender
Barton Protective Services

On behalf of the membership of the FBI Agents Association, I send my condolences regarding the death of Inv. Sherry Lyons-Williams.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association