Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I did not know this officer or the others who lost their lives on September 11th. They are TRUE AMERICAN HERO'S. GOD bless the NYPD and all of the families associated with them.

" THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION" - Proverbs 28:1

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Crater Criminal Justice Academy
Prince George, Va.

Officer Don Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department

It was late one Tuesday evening,
Before a mother could sit down,
To tell her only child about
The terror that hit downtown.

She looked into the eyes of her son
God, she loved him so,
She felt her heart begin to break
And the hurt begin to show.

She gathered all her strength and courage,
as her story she began to tell.
"Baby don't cry, but I'm afraid daddy
Might be under a building that fell."

The boy looked back at his mother,
His eyes made not one blink.
And the mother's tears began to fall.
What would her baby think?

You see, his dad is a Policeman,
And his hero from the day of his birth.
He loved his dad more than anything else
That could ever inherit this earth.

The mother's head began to drop,
Her forehead resting on palm.
She thought her son would be upset.
Instead, he was very calm.

The boy leaned over towards his mom,
And put his hand upon her head.
In her ear he began to whisper,
And this is what he said:

"Mommy please don't cry,
I knew daddy wasn't coming home.
I talked to him just a while ago,
But it wasn't on the phone.

He told me that he loved me,
And he promised we'd meet again.
He told of his new home,
And the job he was to begin."

"God is building an army,
And there are many angels needed.
That, is where daddy and the others went.
They weren't all defeated."

It was then, the mother lifted her head.
The tears streamed down her face.
And she could feel her husband's presence,
As it filled her heart with grace.

It was then she knew her son was right.
He was in God's great army now.
She also knew her son was safe,
That he'd be kept from harm somehow.

So, evildoers of the world beware.
An army is on the way.
Bolstered by new angels,
Who left the towers that day..

Their commander has never been beaten.
His power has never been matched,
And if evil thinks He was almighty before......
Well, the surface has just been scratched!

9-11-02 - 1 year anniversary
We will NEVER forget!
GOD BLESS!

Anonymous

Anonymous

Rodney,
Every day I see your smile, hear your hearty laugh and feel your touch upon my shoulders. I miss you, my son; and, I am so very proud of you for your courage, your strength and your unconditional love toward mankind. I don't know why but today I'm thinking about "Air Force," your puppy who many years ago you laid to his eternal rest. I can see the grief upon your face on the night that you put him in a makeshift coffin you had created and laid a bible next to him. You sealed the box and took him to be buried in your special place. You loved everyone and everything and all that you touched and those, who would allow it to be, were blessed and put at ease. My heart rejoices when I think of you; and my life is filled with an unrelenting determination, until the day we meet again, to keep your spirit alive and strong on this earth. Your brother, Ronald, and I miss you and share a closer bond in the spirit of you. As you sit at God's side know that your magnificent spirit continues to live on in the life of your brother, your three children, Nana and me. I love you and I pray every moment that I’ve kept my promise to you, as you wanted me to do. Mom!

Geraldine Gilliam
NYPD Mom

Your death will be avenged and your heroism, bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

My Prayers are with all the friends and family of all the officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
I lost my brother tragically, Det. David Taylor, Greensboro PD, On August 7, 2001. I was in NY for my fiancee's Mother's funeral the first of Sept. I was stranded there for 3 weeks due to this atrocity. As I watched the events on TV, I cried for all those who lost their lives. But was especially emotional about the Police Officers and the Firefighters and their families, as I had just recently suffered a tragic loss myself. As I walked through the streets in the days following the attack, I cried with pride as I saw the officers on duty on all the corners in the city. I knew how hard it was for them, knowing they had lost their friends. On the Sat. following the attack I was at St. Patrick's for mass. The last 2 people to go up and take communion were 2 NYPD officers, again I cried. I hope all of you are getting the support that my family and I got when we needed it, from the Deparment. I know the comforting words and even the funny stories the officers tell us about my brother helps. I know that our loved ones who are gone from here, had a higher calling and are happy and at peace in Heaven. Hopefully we can all feel that same peace one day! God bless All of you! And God bless America!
Tracy Taylor
Thomasville, NC
Sister of Greensboro Det.David L Taylor
EOW 8/7/01

Tracy Taylor

Dear Brother,
First, I would like to thank everyone who has left previous reflections. I have known Rodney for the duration of my eleven year career, which started in the 79th Pct working alongside many fine officers, one of which was Rodney Gillis. Rodney was always there to lend a hand whenever a fellow officer needed help, most times with a gregarious smile and a laugh. It seems like only yesterday we were at Gaithers lifting a glass to celebrate Rodney being assigned to ESU as a cop, or playing football down at Midwood on weekends with a few other guys from the 79. Years passed and Rodney was made Sergeant and returned to ESU after a brief visit back to patrol. Over the years, I have run into Rodney on jobs, always with the same brotherly hug and a smile to say hello. Rodney personified all that is good about being a Man, and about being a COP. I have never been prouder to wear this uniform thanks in part to the sacrifice you and so many others made on that faithful day. Stay well my brother, You are the Finest of the Finest.

A Brother from the 79
NYPD

"Last Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his 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 times 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 silence all around the throne
Where the Saints had often trod
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Author unknown

anonymous

As I watched the towers come down on September 11th from my home, I knew that many of my brother New York City Police officers had lost their lives. I knew many of them were in the buildings. I knew this because I knew something that the public found out of the 11th, and that is the Men and Woman of the NYPD are heroes, nothing less. Everyday they put their lives on the line to protect the people of New York City.
No member of the NYPD could sit back while people needed help, so these brave 23 NYPD officers along with their 47 brother officers from the PAPD, FBI, Court Administration, Secret Service teamed up with the brave men of the FDNY and in saving over 25,000 of their fellow New Yorkers gave their own lives.
These men and Women are truly heroes and not a day goes by now when I don’t think of them as I patrol the streets of New York City.
These men and women make me proud to be a Police Officer.
Their actions exemplify everything that is good about being a Police Officer.

God Bless them their families and god bless the NYPD.

A Brother NYPD Officer

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

God I don't know what to say. I intend to post this message for each and everyone of you heroes so Officer, Detective, Agent, Whatever,... I thank you. You swore to serve and to protect. Well your days of protecting us are over. But you will forever be in service. Your eternal service... the inspiration you and your fellow bothers and sisters have re-enforced in my heart, will live so long as I do. Though I will not always carry your name in the front of my mind, not in my duties as a soldier or as the police officer I plan to become when I get home, I will still always carry with me the knowledge of your sacrifice... of your heroism, of your selflessness... I will carry a samll piece of you everywhere I go. Be it with an M-16 in my hands in a strange land, or a badge on my chest in my own back yard... long after the flags come down and the nation carries on... until the day I die... you will continue to serve... as my inspiration. God bless you. God bless your family. God bless your agency. God bless FDNY. God bless all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and marines. God bless New York City. GOD BLESS AMERICA. Thank you my brothers and sisters. I love you.

I square my shoulders,
I look ahead,
And all I see
Is the blood we've shed.
Many would turn,
and run away,
but I run forward,
I plan to stay.
I'll work all night,
If I have to,
And maybe all
The morning through.
I'll give my life
If it will save another,
Flesh and bone,
We are all brothers.
That's what being a cop
Is all about,
I came in and saved lives,
Now I've got to head out,
My family, they'll miss me,
My friends will too,
I don't regret the good I did,
That much is true...
Weep not for the memories,
But for the good times,
Keep a steadfast heart,
And a loving mind......