Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Billy, once again, it is almost the 13th and my mind turns to you over and over again just like every day of every month. On my way to work this morning, I heard "THE DANCE" and just bawled - I guess it is a good thing we don't know how it is all going to end, otherwise how in the world could we function each day? Tomorrow will be a day long celebration of your life, as well as the end of a year long journey spent learning how to cope with your death. Our hearts still ache each and every day with the pain set into motion by the tragic events of 11/13/01. We miss you, friend.

Billy,
I can't believe that it has been a year since you were taken away from us. It still doesn't seem real to me. I look at your picture in my office and It seems just like yesterday that you were making me laugh. I will always cherish those moments and your friendship. You could make a cloudy day turn bright and I truly miss that. I know that you will be watching over us on Wednesday but please give Prissy your strength to make it through the day. Shine on Prissy, Kaley, your family and friends because we will all need you. Well I will go for now my friend but please know how much you are loved and missed. Love Deb

Debbie Stevens

Still missing you, 762, almost 11 months later. I know you are soaring high and are happy but we wish you had had more time here. Thanks for watching over your friends and family. We will never forget.....

Hey Billy it's been awhile just wanted to let you know I still think about you almost everyday. I know you're watching over us. I mean class 253 always remember all for one and one for all love ya bro.

deputy
Laurel county sheriff dept

Hey baby
Kaley was too cute last night. Our little strawberry. Only our daughter would get two to three helpings of candy from every door we went to. Even though we went to five houses, it was too cold, her little bag was full.

The closer to the 13th we get, the more my nerves are shot. I can't sleep, I feel as if I am suffocating, and I can't sit still. As much as I relive it everday, that day scares me to death, I really don't want to relive it minute by minute. I already live it everyday. Please give me strength to make it through the next couple of months. I miss and love you like crazy.

Prissy

It will soon be a year, and all those memories will come back. The worst hurt that most of us have ever felt. The good memories will also come back of that smile that we all remember, and that laugh. Billy, you left us with great things. The best thing is your memory. I will make sure that no one forgets you and your family.

Hey Billy, 11 months...I found this poem from years ago and wanted it on my headstone when my time comes...

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumns rain
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in flight
I am the soft star that shines at night
I am the flowers that bloom by day
I am the fragrance of new mown hay
I am each blade of grass that grows
I am the rush of melting snow

Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die

You will never be forgotten, Billy. We will continue to pray for Prissy and Kaley, I hope in quiet moments she can feel your hugs and hear your laughter....this is so hard
Isaiah 40:31

BILLY

ITS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE LEFT A MESSAGE. I'VE WANTED TO WRITE A LONG TIME AGO BUT IT'S STILL HARD TO COME TO THIS WEB SITE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN CLOSE TO A YEAR BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY I STILL MISS THE EARLY MORNING 7-6-2 CENTRAL I STILL THINK OF YOU EVERY DAY AND MISS YOU GREATLY MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

JOEL PRICE
JESSAMINE CO 911

Billy,

It has taken me a long time to sit down and write because I still have a tough time believing this happened. We became good friends at the Fayette County SO and during that short time we had lots of laughs and shared some good times together. Remember when you, me and David went to Myrtle Beach together. The entire trip down was spent talking about police work. You and David even rode with the Myrtle Beach department...and only you would have to go to court on a case you witnessed while on vacation. It was so funny because the only thing you had to wear was a t-shirt and shorts. We laughed about that the entire way home.

Prissy, Billy will never be forgotten. Billy's life was a life of dreams fulfilled. I think of Billy often and I know he is watching of you and your family and his brothers and sisters in LE.

Officer Allen Wilford
Fayette Co. Schools Law Enforcement

Hey baby
Sorry that I haven't wrote in awhile, it seems that I am going out of my mind. Nothing is going right it seems, my feelings are all messed up. I don't know what is up or down, right or wrong. Billy I just want to feel normal again. But I know that will never happen. I want so much but don't think that it will ever happen for me. My mind is stuck on one thing and no matter how hard I try to stop thinking I can't. I need your help, I need you to tell me that everything is going to be ok. Please.... I just need to know that...that I will feel again. I love you more then ever and always will.

Prissy

Billy, it's been 11 months. Still seems like a bad dream. I talked to Casey tonight. We talked of you, of course, and he asked about Prissy and Kaley. I wish he would call and go see them. The closer November 13th gets the tougher it gets on Prissy. I can hear it in her voice and see it on her face. She's going to need you more than ever. I know you've been hard at work keeping an eye on all of us, but give her a little extra attention this next month, Billy. There is still no question about it: if I could go back and change one thing in our lifetime, I KNOW what I would change. I believe you know as well. We love and miss you, Billy.

Officer David K. Day
Lexington Police Department

October 13, 2002

Dear Billy,

Eleven months. And the horrors that are taking place around us just seem to make your loss that much harder to bear . . . . . maybe because you stood so strongly for justice and good, and there's a gross deficiency of both in our world right now. It must make God so sad. However, we're grateful that you now reside in the most glorious and joyful place--our limited minds can't even imagine it--and that you are eternally free from harm. We look forward, with ever-growing anticipation, to joining you.

Take care of yourself, Billy, and please tell all those dear to us how much they're missed. We grieve for you daily . . . . . that will never change . . . . . . and we love you and miss you terribly. Rest well in God's sweet peace, 762, and please keep an eye on us all.

Much love,

Susan & Louis Prater
Friends

HELLO BILLY...
TOMORROW WILL BE 11 MONTHS.. JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU
ARE STILL THOUGHT OF & HONORED EACH & EVERY DAY.

MAY YOU CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE, AND WATCH OVER EVERYONE DOWN HERE.

KIMBERLY

I work at a security company that Billy used to work for before becoming a police officer. I believe he was in college at the time he worked with us. I remember his friendly smile and how he was always willing to help out in any way he could. I just foud out about this website and after reading all the wonderful words from everyone and wiping away many tears,I felt like I had to be a part of it. The day of Bllly's funeral, I was on my way to Nicholasville and passed the church with all the police cars out front and also passed a procession of police cars all with their lights flashing. I have never seen anything like that or have never felt anything like before. To Billy's wife and daughter, my heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Anonymous

Hi Billy. I know it has been a while since I've written. I think of you every day. You know, I don't believe that will ever change. Yes, I know what you are thinking, Casey is on day shift, and I'm going to days come January. Tracy and I decided it's time for a normal family life, at least as normal as two cops can have. Holy cow, Jeff just made a stop. Someone must have about run over him. Better go now, I'll write more soon.

Officer David K. Day
Lexington Police Department

9/25/02
Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we were thinking of you tonight. Jeff started playing one of your games.... Don't worry you were winning. Kaley Bug is a cutey pie, we love her and Prissy very much. Can't help missing you Billy. But we realize you are in such a better place. But could you just send me one more smirk, or one more or those comments of yours? November will be rough. We love you LOL You're in our thoughts and prayers. oooxxx

Karen Parido
Billy's Aunt

Billy,

Several times a day we are reminded that you are gone. All we have to do is turn on the TV and there are Prissy and Kaley telling your story. I dare anyone to watch Kaley wave that flag and not cry. Well, I know someone that can. My daughter was very excited when she saw them. She jumped up and down yelling "Prissy and Kaley are on TV". Prissy is so well spoken and comes across with so much poise, you'd think she was a professional public speaker. What I can't get over are the circumstances that have forced her to be that way. It just sucks. We all miss you so much. Take care.

Officer Tracy Day
FCPS Dept. of Law Enforcement

Southland had a memorial service for 9/11 and all I could think about was "in two more days it will be ten months". You are the hero I think of when I am down, and your laugh echos loud and clear. It really is strange,Billy. I know everybody is missing you and wishes you were here, but I also know that we can't perceive how glorious heaven is and you are in a much better place. I saw pictures of Kaley at the FOP walk to the memorial downtown and it is unreal how much she looks like you. I still haven't done the video, but it is on my mind daily.We will, and soon so lil'bit can watch "Daddy and Mommy dance at their wedding", see ya,Billy
Isaiah 40:31

September 13, 2002

Dear Billy,

Of all the sad, sad weeks we've had since 9/11/01, I believe this has been the saddest. You've been gone 10 months today, unbelievably enough, and it's still a searing pain in our hearts. The 9/11 memorials were nothing short of wrenching for everyone, and our family suffered another devastating blow in that we buried sweet Morris on Tuesday, as we're sure you know. God must have needed a good-natured, competent pilot for some special mission. It just doesn't end, and it certainly gets no easier to bear. We think about you and talk about you and miss you daily, and we truly hope you're gloriously well and happy. Your picture on this site still takes my breath away, and we just can't believe you're gone. Rest peacefully in God's loving arms, Billy; you'll never be forgotten, and you'll always be missed.

Our love,

Susan & Louis Prater
Friends

I can't believe it has been 10 months and it still seems so unreal. We think about you all the time and miss you so very deeply. Please continue to give Prissy your strength, she really needs it to make it through the next couple of months. Kaley is so funny (just like her daddy) she is always smiling or laughing and she is keeping Prissy on her toes. Well I will go for now... We love ya Billy. Debbie

Debbie Stevens

09/13/02
10 months,Billy, and it's still so hard to let you go....
I miss you, friend.

Thinking of you a lot these days, hard to believe it's almost been a year. Realizing you were the reason I pursued this crazy career in law enforcement. Not a day goes by that I don't remember the fun times. Had to leave Jessamine Co, things just weren't right, probably for the best. Working in Lawrenceburg with Saunier now, which doesn't leave a dull moment as I'm sure you can see. Thanks for giving me the courage to keep going when life gets too rough. Sorry it's taken this long, but you know I'm constantly thinking of you and Chuck. Prissy and Kaley are in my thoughts and prayers non-stop too. Really missing ya friend.

Officer Chris Beach
Lawrenceburg Police Dept

Hey baby
It's been 10 months and not to much has changed, but so much has changed. I just don't know where to start.... I say the same thing over and over everytime I write. I miss you more then ever and I am so very lost. I am having a real hard time with my feeling toward other people. I get so mad and anger about certain things but then feel so guilty because of those feelings.
Kaley is getting so big and more beautiful by the day. She is such a sponge. I'm ready for her to spit out a sentence anytime. God I wish you were here to raise her. You were the best daddy a littleone could have. Yes you only had 6 short months with her but she does and will know the love you gave to her and how much you adored her. Billy I will never let her forget that. I saw it and anybody that met you saw it to.
So much is coming up in the next couple months. In less then a month I will be 26. My first birthday without you, don't want to do anything, just not the same anymore another year.... BIG DEAL.... Days are all the same anymore, just living for Kaley not much else matters. Life without you........Not something that I never thought that I would have to do.
Baby I miss you and love you so very much.

Prissy

762......TODAY STARTS THE ANNIVERSARY DATE FOR HORRIFIC LOSSES IN 2001. I REMEMBER THIS DATE LAST YEAR, I WAS DISPATCHING SHERIFF, YOU CAME IN & WE WATCHED THE 9/11 TRAGEDY ON T.V.---THAT DAY DID CHANGE EVERYONE'S LIVES, AND FOR US HERE IN JESSAMINE CO. IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF LOSSES/EVENTS THAT I DON'T THINK WE'D EVER BEGAN TO IMAGINE. EVERYONE HAS A HERO THAT THEY ARE REMEMBERING TODAY. WELL, FOR ME, I HAVE 3 THAT I AM REMEMBERING TODAY AND EVERYDAY, 762, 725 & 738.... TRUE HEROES!!!!
MAY YOU CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE, AND WALK WITH ALL THE HEROES THERE IN HEAVEN.

DISPATCHER K GRIFFITH
JESSAMINE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS

September 11, 2002

Billy,
Just wanted you to know that today, as talk turns to heroes, you are the one I will be thinking of. We miss you so much. It still seems unreal that you are no longer with us. It's just not right.

Officer Tracy Day
FCPS Dept of Law Enforcement