Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was attending a meeting in Chicago the day Officer Lee was gunned down. The next morning, as I was standing on a dark street corner on my way to have breakfast, I noticed the headline in the newspaper rack. It struck me that Officer Lee's sacrifice, and the sacrifice of every other LEO in this nation allowed me to do something as simple as walk down the street in the early morning hours without fear. It is a shame that it takes something like this to drive that point home....To Officer Lee's family, friends, and fellow officers, and to every LEO who serves the citizen of America....THANK YOU and God Bless!

Operations Officer
United States Federal Aviation Administration

To the Lee family we deeply express our grief for your loss and our hearts go out to you the family and friends closest to him. "Angel of God my guardian dear to whom his love commits me here ever this day be at my side to rule to guard to light and guide"
The Feeney Family

Police Officer
C.P.D.

It is a sad day for us all when an officer is lost. My deepest condolences and prayers to your family, friends, and fellow officers. Rest in peace my brother, others will continue the watch.

Special Agent Andy Reeves
Diplomatic Security Service - Chicago Field Office

To his family, friends, fellow Officers, and fellow Marines:

So many people across the world hear this story and feel the loss. We may never have met, we may never meet. But there are millions of hearts going out to you and praying for you. Lean on their support when you need it. We will always be here.

Anonymous
Coconino County Detention Facility, Flagstaff, AZ

What an Out-pour from some many, that never met,or, knew Off.Lee.I too, never met or knew Officer Lee, yet, i was deeply saddened when i heard of the Great loss to the people of Chicago, and the Chicago police dept.Strength to your family,and may you rest in peace.You truly made the supreme sacrifice, while doing your duty. May GOD bless you, and Keep you brother, for we have lost to many like YOU..

Anonymous

Words are never enough at a time like this.

I worked the "other" side of the radio from Eric Lee for years when he was on midnights in Englewood.

You are in a better place now my friend ... please watch over your brothers and sisters still on the streets.

Karen Martin - Dispatcher
Chicago Police Department

We'll keep the watch 'till you call us home. Semper Fi Brother.

Anonymous
391

My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Lee. Officers like him go out and do the job every day and only ask one thing; to safely go home to their loved ones at the end of the shift. This is a senseless act of violence committed by a coward who deserves nothing less than the final justice he passed on Officer Lee in the alley. So, to honor this hero, I submit the following;

"The Final Inspection"
By David Hunter

The officer stood and faced his God which must always come to pass.
He hoped his boots were shining as brightly as his badge.
"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek, to my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No sir, I guess I ain't, because them who carry badges don't always act like saints. I had to work most Sundays and my language I know was rough, and sometimes, Sir, I've been violent
because the streets are awful tough. But I never took a single dime that was not mine to keep. Though I worked a bunch of extra jobs when the bills just got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though sometimes I shook with fear, and sometimes, Sir, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the gentle people that I served. They never wanted me around but when they were scared or hurt. If you had a place
for me, it don't have to be real grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence then, at the throne where the saints had often trod, as the officer waited patiently for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, officer, you've carried your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets--you've done your time in hell."

Godspeed, Eric.

Officer Donna C. Hillier
Purdue University Calumet Police Department Hammond, IN

Officer Lee is a hero, and an inspiration to myself, and all police officers, to continue the fight for justice on behalf of all the citizens who can not do it for themselves.

Patrolman Jim Rattigan
Boston Police, Boston Mass

May God Bless you and your family Officer Eric Lee. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have given the ultimate sacrifice serving the citizens of Chicago and you will never be forgotten. Although we worked for two different agencies, there is truly an emptiness felt within as a result of your sacrifice and the sacrifice made by many other Law Enforcement Officers. May God rest your soul Brother. Rest in Peace. Sincerely E. Sledge

Investigator Eric A. Sledge
Illinois Attorney Generals Office

God bless you Officer Lee.

Officer Brian J. Gwilliam
Alpine/Highland UT

You gave your life protecting others, doing your job, not shying away from your duty. May you have peace with God. May God bring peace and understanding to your family.

Rest in peace my brother in blue.

Anonymous

Rest In Peace. You will not be forgotten by those that are here to carry on your watch. God Bless You.

Petty Officer Robert Crumley
U.S. Coast Guard

My sincere condolences to the Lee family and the Officers of the Chicago, IL Police Department. I am greatly saddened by your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May God give you the strength and courage to get through this difficult time, and the years to come. Although our brotherhood has suffered a tremendous loss, we know that Eric is now safe in Gods arms guarding the gates of Heaven. God Bless you Eric, for all that you have been, and for all that you have meant, to the people whose lives you have touched..."

Sergeant Richard Lopez
United States Capitol Police

TO THE FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS OF OFFICER LEE:

OUR DEEPEST THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME, YOU WERE A TRUE HERO AND ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE, PLEASE WATCH OVER YOUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND KEEP US SAFE.

PATROLMAN
GONZALES P.D. (LOUISIANA)

REST IN PEACE BROTHER LEE! FROM ONE MARINE TO ANOTHER "IT'S BEEN REAL AND IT'S BEEN FUN, BUT IT SURE AIN'T BEEN REAL FUN"!


SEMPER FI "DEVIL DOG"

Anonymous

WHEN I HEARD OF THE SHOOTING I WAS SITTING IN A BAR PLAYING POOL AND DRINKING A BEER. ACROSS THE NEWS CAME THE HEADLINE, "OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED IN CHICAGO." I THEN PUT MY POOL STICK DOWN AND STOPPED THE DRINK THAT I WAS TAKING AND COULD NOT MOVE. MY EYES LOOKED UPON A PICTURE OF A MAN WHOM I HAD NEVER MET OR EVEN TALKED TO, BUT I FELT AS IF I KNEW HIM. THE MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND WAS BLASTING MY NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT FRIENDS WERE BEGGING ME TO TAKE MY TURN AS I TOLD THEM THAT A POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT IN CHICAGO. THEY ONLY SHOWED LIGHT INTEREST AND THEN BEGGED ME TO SHOOT. I THEN LOOKED AT THE GROUND AND CAME TO UNDERSTATND THAT ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES UNDERSTATND WHAT IT MEANS TO PUT ON THE UNIFORM. I THEN TOOK MY TURN MISSING THE SHOT, BUT I DID NOT CARE. I KNEW THAT THE MAN WHOM I HAD JUST HEARD THE NEWS OF WAS MORE IMPORTANT. I WANT OFFICER LEE'S FAMILY TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. THEY ARE A PART OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY AND WILL NEVER BE ALONE. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
SEMPER FI DD

DEPUTY RON VOSHELL
LUCAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

To the Family and friends of Officer Lee
First of all we would like to say Thank you to all officers who protect and serve. We have lost a loved one and know some of the pain you are experiencing. You have also have made a huge sacrifice, you have shared your loved one with others at a cost few will every know. We have Officer Lee's Wife and children in our prays and all of those he served with also. Please know that others care and will remember you all. Your path is going to be rough for a while but trust in God and those who support you. People really can be wonderful, I hope you will be able to see that throughout your journey. Our prayers are with you!

Colby & Angela Matteson
survivors Fort Wayne In, 8/5/2000

"I'm sorry" just doesn't convey my sorrow for your family. If there were magic words to make your pain go away I would say them in an instant but there are just no words. Just know people are there for you. Your husband, daddy, son, brother, friend, whoever he represented in your life may be gone but will never be forgotten. My children and I will pray that God will wrap his arms of grace around you and protect you all. Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength".

Cathy Hill - Surviving Spouse
Harris County Sheriff's Department

Eric, we have never met but you are my brother. You are my brother because I continue to walk in the same shoes, down the same dark alley, toward the same beast that others fear and shrink away from. I am proud of you, my brother, for running toward evil in pursuit of ri

Sergeant Ray Jennings
Anchorage police Department, AK

I spent two years working in Chicago with the FBI. I had the opportunity to work with many dedicated officers from the Chicago Police Department. I attended a CPD Graduation and the funeral of Officer James Camp. I'm sorry to see yet another CPD Officer lose his life in the line of duty. Rest-In-Peace Officer Lee and my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent/Pilot
FBI - Detroit Division

May God keep watch over your family, and rest in Peace Brother...Semper Fi

Patrolman Carlos L. Vieira
Lawrence Police, Lawrence, Mass

To the family and friends of Officer Lee, May god bless you all in your greatest time of need. Our prayers are with you and our fallen brother. Via Con Dio's......

Deputy T. Villar
Pinal County Sheriff's Office

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Lee's family, friends, and co-workers. Thank you to all law enforcement personnel who are so brave and courageous every day. God Bless you all.



BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD

Confrontation in an alley. The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cops's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it
could've been you.

We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're out
there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like
we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules".

We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.
You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching
you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile. To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and a man.
And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother--
A cop who made a stand.

By: Randolph Liebec

Telecommunicator Jennifer Dixon
Illinois State Police District 7

God bless you my brother. Peace be with your family and friends. It takes a special person to be a police officer in these times. We are chastised for all that we do but not recognized for our suffering or losses. I did not hear of this tragic loss through our media, I had to find it on this site which I check every day. To your family, I hope you find peace within yourselves. I can not imagine how you feel. I am so sorry for your loss.

Detective Steve Garavuso
Pataskala Division of Police