Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

WOW, I WATCHED YOUR STORY ON FORENSIC FILES THE OTHER NIGHT AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY!!! SO SAD SOMEONE COULD DO WHAT THEY DID! IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I WILL FOR SURE LOOK THIS OFFICER UP AT THE D.C. OFFICER MOMORIAL WALL THIS YEAR AND HOPE TO MEET THIS FAMILY. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST YEAR TO GO AND IM LOOKING SO FORWARD TO IT! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOUR FAMILY!

CYNAKA,
SISTER OF FALLEN OFFICER
SHADRON BASSETT
E.O.W. 10-07-05

Anonymous

March 2, 2009

Thinking and remembering you on the 7th anniversary of your EOW.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

August 3, 2008

I miss you so much REST IN PEACE...LOVE YOU!!!!!

Sweet p
Niece

January 25, 2008

I've just also seen your incredible story on Court TV. Thank you for your tireless service, and may God comfort your family and your agency.

Rest easy, hero.

LEO Mom

November 12, 2007

I grew up in Rockford and used to watch the officers every chance I got. It was they who helped me make the decision to become a Police Officer. I never got the opportunity to meet you, but can't help thinking you helped me in making my decision and for that I thank you. I have read the reflections left by other people and hope I too can have the impact on my peers and the people I swore an oath to serve as you have. My thoughts and prayers are with your family in these trying times and only hope that they can find comfort in the fact you were doing what you loved when you were taken away. Check back in on us from time to time.

Investigator
Sixth Judicial District-State of Oklahoma

October 30, 2007

"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

October 22, 2007

As a former security chief in a downtown building, I can only offer my sincerest appreciation & condolences to Mr. Rice & family. He gave his life protecting the community he lived, worked & loved so much. During that time & in the 90's, a lot of gang violence struck downtown Rockford. Det. Rice fell to the fight against gang violence, a fight never surrendered, nor forgotten.

Det. Rice gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting in which he worked, lived & loved so much. May God bless him & give comfort to his family, co-workers on the Rockford Police Dept. & friends as he rests with the angels upon the heavens above--Amen.

Fmr Security Chief-City Plaza Brad Smith
Community Member

October 12, 2007

Hey Kevin. I still wear your #157 pin everyday to work. Your definately not forgotten brother.

Guy Papa
Friend

September 14, 2007

I just finished watching Court TV that was about Kevin Rice. And I was just compelled to write and say how sorry I am that he and his family had to go through this. My father is a retired Tacoma Police Department Lieutenant. Event though it has been awhile, I'm sure the pain still surrounds his family. My heartfelt wishes go out to you all. God Bless You.

Trisha Matthews
citizen

September 1, 2007

An inspiration is what so many of us are seeking. Det. Rice inspired and motivated all he met. His drive for success and excellence carried through in all he did. He inspired and motivated the kids of Rockford to reach for the stars and the mountains. He is truly missed.

Jan

August 28, 2007

Detective Rice,
You have made the ultimate sacrifice while you were trying to make this world a better place.
I just saw the Court TV show Forensic Files with an episode of your death.
It touched me to see that you were just trying to do the right thing and you paid for it with your life.
My husband has been a police officer for 15 years and he is out there every night as well doing his part, so to hear how sudden your life was taken, it made me think about how all police officers go into this career despite the dangers that may lie ahead of them.
I am proud of you for your duty and I wish your son all the best as he follows in your footsteps.
Each day that I see my husband come through our door I am thankful because I know that he may have helped make the world a better place and he was able to do it without incident, injury or death.
You are a true American hero.
Respectfully,

Ann Singh
Albany, NY

Ann Singh
Wife of Albany, NY Police Officer Kevin Singh

August 24, 2007

I will never forget you Kevin, even though the years have come and gone. You were and are an encouragemnet to me.Thank you for your friendship, Kevin may God always bless and keep your family safe.

Ervin Wainwright
Regional Office of Education

August 8, 2007

Detective Rice,
Today marks the sixth anniversary of your EOW. We pause to remember the brave and dedicated soul you were. You are never forgotten. Ever.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 3, 2007

You were a credit to your profession. Wonder what your
next assignment is as there are no criminals in heaven.
God bless your memory and loved ones.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 3, 2007

Kevin I just wanted to say that I was thinking of you and your family and the difference that you made to our community. There is no officer in town that stands and reflected in our community what you reflected. The life, light and example is truly missed. I just wanted to stop by and say I miss you. I no longer live in our hometown but I just know that it is no longer the same without you. Blessings and love to your family.

Lisa Perteete
Friend of Family

June 19, 2007

Detective Rice, thank you for your brave and selfless service. My prayers are with your wife, children, family, friends, and Police brothers and sisters.

Timothy Reise
Nashville, TN (cousin of Chicago Police Officer)

May 12, 2007

Kevin,

I knew you as an outstanding officer, then detective, with an awesome attitude when I was the new guy. Thanks for being the guy to watch and learn from when just starting out in this business. You are greatly missed.

Tim Lear
Vancouver, WA PD

February 28, 2007

Kevin
I awoke today to my two children playing loudly and thought to myself as most cops do, "Can't I just get one good night of sleep". My very next thought was, I am so very blessed to be here to protect them and watch them grow.

I find peace in knowing that you are in heaven watching over your family and enjoy watching as they grow.

I had the pleasure of working with you on the Rockford Police Department for several years before transferring to the Denver Police Department. You were dedicated to your profession and the citizens of the city. You were a very good friend and it was so unfair that you were taken away from us.

Kevin, you will never be forgotten. Please watch over us as we continue to protect both our families and the citizens of our respective cities. We miss you

Jeff Sanger
Denver Police Department

December 9, 2006

I remember working on a local case of a missing child who ran away with a local gang member and we worked together in the location and recovery of the child and the gang member. We played pager tag for 2 straight days always mssing each others calls until eventually getting a hold of each other and I gave him information as to where they could be found and within a few days he called and told me they found them in Mexico and they brought him back and the family went and got the child.

Melissa Eggleston
Missing Children & Adults Organization

November 16, 2006

I just watched Kevin's story on Court TV the other night. Rockford truely lost a hero that night. It showed that he was a dedicated Officer even when he wasn't "on the clock". My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Kevin's family and fellow officers of the Rockford P.D.

Officer D. Burris
Evansville, IN P.D.

October 6, 2006

KEVIN KEVIN KEVIN!
WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I MISS YOU. I KNOW YOU'RE WALKING AROUND HEAVEN WITH THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE YOU BUT I STILL WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO CRACK ONE MORE JOKE WITH YOU. REST IN PEACE MY F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E BROTHER AND SAVE A SEAT FOR ME...

TANYA C RICE
BABY SISTER

October 5, 2006

Uncle kevin I miss you you are truly a great man and I know that you are in a better place now you are with the holy father himself you are truly an angel in God's eyes. You were a good man father and husband and your death affected not only the family but also the whole Rockford community. I love you and Rest In Peace.

Anonymous
Great niece

September 29, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

September 21, 2006

May you rest in peacend may love and joy come to your family at there time in need. God bless you Kevin.

CW3 Rusty L Barnes
US Army 3RD CID FT Stewart, GA

September 4, 2006

Rest in Peace and thank you for all that you had done to serve your community.
My thoughts, as a civilian, are with Kevin's family at this time. Rest in knowing that he served our community well and did all he could to protect and serve those around him.

God Bless you!

Civilian Kathryn Gustafson

August 24, 2006