Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart and prayers are with the Hontz family and our great Police Department.
Tom will forever be with us, be proud to have known him - a real soldiers General.
My best,
Robert Pettycrew

Councilman Robert Pettycrew
City of Scottsdale

There are always hazards in training realistically.The saying "train hard-fight easy"is very much true. This man died doing what he loved to do. He took upon himself extra responsibilities because he thought it was important and needed for his family and community. God bless him and the thousands like him.

Senior Trooper Mikey J. Turnbow
Ky. state Police

Tom was a leader, teacher, mentor and a friend. His professionalism and expertice set a standard for us all. He will be missed.

Sergeant Todd Muilenberg
Scottsdale Police Department

Sergeant Todd Muilenberg
Scottsdale Police Department

We miss you Tommy, but you live on forever in our hearts. God Bless

Detective T.J. Jiran #401
Scottsdale Police

To Sergeant T. Hontz family and friends:
His tour is over, but his memory lives on.
god bless...

Deputy I. Martinez
Broward Sheriff's Office (South Florida)

Deputy Sheriff I. Martinez
Broward Sheriff's Office

We grew up together as young Officers in the Department when the function of an Officer was 'you're it'- 'handle it'
A clear and fair mind was required as well as the capacity to be a 'warrior'when necessary. Tom Hontz had these qualities. Our contact changed over the years with different assignments and shifts but our friendship remained.
Technology and tactics changed during this time and Tom took it upon himself to learn these things and teach/mentor others with his knowledge. Tom's conviction to Officer safety was tenacious.
We would see each other in passing but always took the time for a handshake and some idle chit-chat and a humorous 'jab' from events from the past, then it was a 'see you later'.
Now there are no 'laters'. Our loss is great. I'm sure Tom was having fun doing what he loved to do-testing equipment for purpose and functionality- who knows..he may have saved others from a similar incident from this testing...it's what he strived to do.
Now there are no 'laters' as we come to the full realization that he's gone, we have our memories to remind us of Tom Hontz : an Officer, a Husband, a 'Warrior', my Friend....'see you later' David Evans #222 SPD

Officer David Evans #222
Scottsdale, Az Police Department

"blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be the children of god"

Cpl. Ryan Paisley
M.C.S.O.

I first met Tom in 1996 when he attended to our Training Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan to teach us PPCT training. Tom was clearly a true professional who passed on his tremendous knowledge and skills to all who attended his training courses. I am saddened to hear of Tom's passing and offer condoleances on behalf of all Canadian law enforcement officers. We have lost a warrior and a leader in the Law Enforcement Community. My thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family and friends.

S/Sgt. Bob Bazin
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

YOU will always lead this team...through each and every one of us you live on. Thank you for teaching us to strive for perfection. You have no idea how many lives you have saved and will save because of your code of excellence!!

Your team now and forever,
SPD S.W.A.T.

John Zobel
Scottsdale PD

Tom and I were PPCT Instructors from years ago. I am so sorry for his family. I am proud to have known Tom. He was a true warrior and set an example for the rest of us.May he rest in peace.

Sergeant Frank Solis
Tucson Police Department

On behalf of the National Drug Interdiction Association, I would like to express my deepest regards and sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Sergeant Thomas Hontz. Nobody can ever be prepared for the unthinkable. We will all miss you fallen hero. Rest in peace brother, rest in peace.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Douglas R. Wright / Board of Directors
National Drug Interdiction Association

" I think now looking back, that we are not fighting an enemy. Sometimes we are fighting ourselves and the enemy is within us. Make yourself no mistake; give all to your brothers in blue. Never let their badge go tarnished only because, Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. When we meet again brothers, then we will smile, if not then we know that this party was well formed"!

This is what I said when my partners was slain. I hurt every time a brother in blue leaves us for any reason. Please pray for their families and make sure the babies, and wives of our brothers survive.

With the deepest sorrow and the never forgotten honor,

Detective Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Department
New Bern, North Carolina

Sgt. Hontz was a top notch DT instructor, a great officer, and a fine man. His service and sacrifice to the public will not be forgotten. Like many, I am honored to have learned from him and I will continue to use the knowledge he imparted to me for years to come. To Sgt. Tom Hontz, a true hero.

-Tim LeGarde,
Scottsdale PD, 1996-2000

Ofc. Tim LeGarde
St. Paul, Minnesota Police Department

Sergeant Hontz will be greatly missed. Although I only had the pleasure of training with him for a short time, he taught myself and the new SWAT officers on his team so much. He lived and died a warrior. He will live in each of us that he has touched. I will miss you Sergeant.

Ben Felice
Scottsdale Police Department

Officer Ben Felice
Scottsdale Police Department

Sgt. Hontz,
May you rest in peace. My prayers go out to all your loved ones.
Ptlm. Leonard Corral, Jr.
Decatur P.D.
Decatur, Ind.

Patrolman Leonard Corral, Jr.
Decatur P.D., Ind.

Family and Friends,
Our family grieves with you. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayer is that you will find peace through this storm.

Cathy Hill, Widow
Deputy Barrett Hill
e.o.w. 12/4/00
HCSD

Cathy Hill
Great Houston Chapter COPS

I am truly sorry that one of our brothers has been taken from us in the line of duty.

On behalf of Scottsdale Search and Rescue, our thoughts and prayers are with Tom, his family and the Scottsdale Police Department.

Don Tellis
Scottsdale Search & Rescue

After having spent more than 30 years with OCPD it is still hard to lose a fellow officer. One can only pray for the family left behind that God will grant them peace and understanding.

Lt. Jodie W. Perkins
Oklahoma City Police Department (Ret)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Hontz, May God Bless you during this time.


Uncle of Mississippi State Trooper
Paul Denham
E.O.W.
12-27-99

Danny Gibson

My prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Hontz. I can only imagine the sense of loss they feel at this time but hope they can find strength to endure through friends, family and those who know he served with distinction!

Dana Jones

Our Prayers go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Thomas Hontz. God Bless you all.

Fire Captain/Paramedic
Green Valley Fire District, Arizona

To the Family, Friends and Team mates of Sgt. Hontz,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. God bless you and keep you all until you can be re-united with Tom.

Sgt. Chris Bray
Phoenix PD

As a scottsdale resident for the past 33 years, Tom did a wonderful job representing the city of Scottsdale, I saw him recently at the recent golf outing in N Scottsdale. A message to his family, Scottsdale PD will be there for you every step of the way. We the community residents will be there as well. Tom is in gods hands, I'm thinking how is the department going to fill the void. The answer is it will never be filled. Would anyone believe he worked in the park a long time ago?? Sgt Hontz thanks for protecting me and everyone else in Scottsdale, thanks for the smile and vote of confidence, thanks for your honor. I ride my bike nightly from my home on miller, through the skate park, and when i came behind the Police Department on Via Linda I stopped and looked up in the air, the sun was so bright, make sure the sun shines bright everyday!

Good Day sir
Josh

Josh Andrews, ATC
FAA

God Bless the Hontz family. Hero's never really die. Concerned Citizen!!!!!

Shannon Yates

For years as a squad sergeant I have printed every entry on the ODMP. I read them in briefing and we take a moment to pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our chosen profession. Never did I contemplate the day that I would print the page about the death of a friend. Words cannot begin to express the loss we feel. Tom was the best at what he did as a SWAT Leader and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He will never be forgotten in our hearts and in our prayers!

Sgt. Jeffrey Smythe
Scottsdale PD