Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart ached and the tears flowed when I heard. I am the daughter of Patrolman Gary Kidwell, who was slain in the line of duty. Why any family should have to go through this is beyond reason and logic. You were a great man who impacted many lives. I still hear your name and see memorial signs to you. I only wish that I could have known you. All say you were remarkable. God bless you, our fallen hero.

kimberly kidwell daughter of fallen offi

My heart ached and the tears flowed when I heard. I am the daughter of Patrolman Gary Kidwell, who was slain in the line of duty. Why any family should have to go through this is beyond reason and logic. You were a great man who impacted many lives. I still hear your name and see memorial signs to you. I only wish that I could have known you. All say you were remarkable. God bless you, our fallen hero.

kimberly kidwell daughter of fallen offi

To the family of Sam, I've walked in your same shoes, I no how and what you all are feeling. I lost my father in the line of duty also, Officer Gary Elmer Kidwell, Of the Stanford P.D. in Ky. You will have a long road ahead of you to go through. Keep your faith in the Lord and you will see him again. May God Bless you all.
Kristi McGuffey
Daughter of slain police officer

REst in peace. You served us well.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

GOD BLESS THE CATRON FAMILY. A FATHER AND SON HERO. BOTH ARE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHERS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

Yikes! How you died turns my stomach. It's one reason why I favor
the death penalty!!
How you lived overwhelms me with pride and admiration! Thank you
for your years of dedication and your selfless sacrifice. What a
shining example you are for all of us left behind. Well done! May
your memory last forever and may God bless all those who still mourn.

Lynn Kole
Washington State

Thank you, Sheriff. Thank you for being a hero. Rest easy knowing that we will continue for you and never forget you. I rather be a door keeper at the house of the Lord than to dwell in tents amongst wickedness.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

So much can be said for the price our brother officers pay making our people safe.But it cannot be put into words.

God bless our fallen brothers in arms,and the people they leave behind.

Off. Mike Cooper
Harlan City Police Dept. KY.

To Sheriff Catron family and friends our thoughts and prayers goes out to you. May God Bless you and May your love one rest in peace.
D. Jones
Mother of Officer Ron Jones
EOW 12/26/01

PPD Prentiss Ms.

Reast in peace, sheriff.....We just buried a good man, killed on a traffic stop, and I know that you two will patrol together now, in heaven looking out for us left here to patrol. God bless you, and your family!

patrolman chris tillman
Danville, VA PD

Sheriff Catron,
May you rest comfortably in the arms of God. Thank you for your service to the community and your years of dedication for a thankless job. You are in our prayers.

Deputy Sheriff Chad Powell & wife
Jessamine Co. S.O.

I attended the funeral for Sheriff Catron and was amazed by the citizens of Pulaski County lined up and down the highway to show their support for him. It's sad that it takes something like this for people to come out to say goodbye. I just wondered how many of the citizens had visited him by just stopping by to say hello while he was still with us. I'm guilty of that myself by not keeping in touch with all of those that I have worked with in the past. We all need to thank or just say hello to all emergency service personnel when we see them.
I am so sorry for the events that have taken place for his family. But I would not call this a loss. From the things that were said from his friends at the funeral he was a very loving man and was very involved with church and GOD. So a loss.......No.........loss means you don't know where someone or something is. I think we all know where Sam is....with God.
God bless your family and friends.
From one of your brothers in blue.

Bo Morgan
VPD #115

Patrolman Bo Morgan
Versailles Police Department, KY

I am deeply saddened that another great man has lost his life to a coward. My heart goes out to the family of Sheriff Catron. They have made a tremendous sacrifice losing two loved ones in the line of duty. I was born and raised in Pulaski County and, although I am a peace officer in Texas, I still considered Somerset my home. I wear my memorial ribbon for Sheriff Catron and our city will fly its flags at half mast on May 15th for Sheriff Catron and all those who have gone before him. You will not be forgotten Sheriff Catron. You are a true hero.

Sgt. Terry Johnson
Winters Police Department

Rest in peace, Sheriff Catron. Your service to God, your fellow officers and to the public will not soon be forgotten. You left an example of service to be respected and admired.

Public Safety Support Specialist
Pima County Sheriff's Department

To read how this happened is sickening. God bless Sheriff Catron and his Family. Rest in Peace Brother.

Police Officer, NY State

To the family of Sherriff Sam Catron,

My heart hurts for your family and I grieve with you. You and your community have been through so much and you will be in my prayers, daily.

I am truly sorry for your loss,

Deborah Dees, Widow
Motorcycle Officer Keith A. Dees
Houston Police Department
E.O.W. March 7, 2002

It is so unfourtunate that officers these days are faced with
so much negativity, yet they take the time out every day to serve vast communities, and be all they can be to keep every one safe.
To sheriff Catrons family....
may god be with you in this difficult time.......

A.Burchfield
academy rec.

Anytime you hear of an officers EOW it somehow moves you, makes you think, makes you do a "reality" check. They all are senseless but when something like this happens it baffles yet astounds me. Every Law Enforcement Officer, no matter what their job, knows that it can happen. None want it to but it is always there. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sheriff’s Catron’s family - friends - department and yet still to the citizen’s of Pulaski County. Time does heal - not completely but it helps!!!!

To all officers who read this, Stay Safe and go home after your shift in one piece. When you get there hug whomever means the most to you!

"May God bless our Police Officers
Keep them safe both day and night
Give then strength and courage
To enforce all that is right"

LT. Greg Roberts
US TVA Police

I have no words for such an unspeakable and horrifying act. This death has driven home to me how very much our loved ones truly are in a dangerous profession.

I will say prayers for Sheriff Catron's family, friends and the law enforcement family he left behind. Less than a year ago our department lost an officer, Justin Wollam, in what can only be described as an intentional act to kill an officer. It has been a very long and hard road for us up here since that day. I know all of you will be honoring Sheriff Catron's memory by carrying on and doing your very best every day.

When my children and I are in our car and we see patrol cars, fire trucks, ambulances, etc. we always say, "God bless 'em and keep 'em safe!" How very much law enforcement and emergency services need God's care and protection everyday. I know Sherrif Catron is watching over his LEO family from above.

Cheri Chavers, Police Officer's Wife
Anchorage (Alaska) Police Dep't

may you rest in peace sheriff and god bless your family. i am happy too hear that the suspects were caught. i hope they get what they have coming to them.

To the citizens of Pulaski COunty;
Although I never had the priviledge to meet Sheriff Catron, I was honored to attend the funeral services. If the reaction of your community is any reflection on this man, then he must have been quite a lawman and unique person. I was impressed by the service, the eulogies and the respect paid to Sheriff Catron by his fellow citizens and brothers and sisters in law enforcement. The procession was incredible, as hundreds lined the streets in tribute. I saw people in wheelchairs and neck braces, others in the 85 degree heat. Still others stood silent with their caps or hands over their hearts as we drove by. In many instances, people were lined three and four deep along the route. I am sure the staff of the Pulaski County SO and the family of Sheriff Catron were both overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. The visitation was equally astounding. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Offier David Pence
Richmond (KY) PD

I am moved to express my sincere sorrow over Sheriff Catron's untimely death. It is difficult to comprehend such a cowardly and heinous act. Undoubtedly, Sheriff Catron is and was a man of integrity and bravery who performed his duties unflinchingly in the face of danger.

Deputy Chief V. M. Sanders
Bannock County Sheriff's Office

As a fellow member of the law enforcement community, I grieve over your death. Too often we lose the brightest and the bravest to the cowardly.

Although I am a Sergeant in Ohio, I know Pulaski Co. and Somerset well. My father is a native of Science Hill and many family members live in the area as well as Eubank, Monticello and Nancy. Acts of violence such as this should never stain a place as wonderful and friendly as Pulaski Co.

Sheriff Catron, I never had the honor of meeting you, but I feel as if I have known you for a long time. You embodied all that is pure and good about law officers. I can only hope that I can live up to the high standard that you set for all.

Thank you again. This world was a better place for the sacrifice that you made. God surely has set aside a room in his house for you. God Bless.

"...and a man's enemies shall be of his own house."
Micah 7:6

Anon.

Dispatch to Unit 111, Pulaski County Sheriff Sam Catron, who has served with dignity, valor and honor to all Pulaski County. 111 you have fought the good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith, and now my friend with this final call may you rest in peace in the arms of God. Dispatch clear at 1601 hours on April 18, 2002.
Sheriff Sam Catron's Final Call as it appeared in the Commonwealth Journal.

Anonymous

TO THE PULASKI COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY OF SHERIFF SAM CATRON. WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS THE SORROW MY HEART FEELS. SHERIFF CATRON WAS ONE OF A KIND, HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. I HAVE NEVER MET A MAN LIKE SHERIFF CATRON. SHERIFF CATRON GAVE FREELY OF HIMSELF NOT ONLY TO SOME BUT TO EVERYONE. I HAVE ONLY KNOWN SHERIFF CATRON FOR 12 YEARS, BUT IN THAT TIME HE HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE THAT HAS NOT ONLY MADE ME A BETTER OFFICER, BUT A BETTER PERSON. SHERIFF CATRON DIED DOING WHAT HE LOVED TO DO. SHERIFF CATRON PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE A POLICE OFFICER CAN PAY, HE GAVE HIS LIFE SERVING NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF PULASKI COUNTY, BUT THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND THE NATION. I WILL MISS SHERIFF CATRON AS WILL WE ALL. MAY GOD BE WITH SHERIFF CATRON AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE IN HEAVEN A PLACE WERE THEIR IS NO EVIL.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO SHERIFF CATRONS FAMILY (LEWIS HIS BROTHER, NANCY AND MELLIE HIS SISTERS AND JENNIE RACHEL HIS MOTHER).

OFFICER DUFFY SUTTON
KENTUCKY VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT