Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To my brother in blue,

May God bless you and keep you. You will be missed by your brothers and sisters on the Thin Blue Line.

Sgt. Geoffrey Cooker
Cary Police Dept. Cary, IL/EAA Security, Oshkosh, WI

March 2, 2005

What a senseless act of violence you and your partner endured. My husband was also killed by a speeding pick-up truck while parked on the side of the highway finishing up paperwork. Both you, your partner, and my husband were mentioned in an article by Craig Floyd with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

God bless you, your family, friends and co-workers.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

February 25, 2005

The deaths of these two outstanding officers is one of the most saddest and senseless incidents I have ever read. God bless both officers. May they rest in peace.

SGT D. Huckaby
VA Police West LA

September 4, 2004

OFFICER ETTER I JUST LEFT A REFLECTION ON OFFICER MARKINS PAGE. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I WENT BY THE MARKER WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AND I PRAYED FOR THE BOTH OF YOU. MY FATHER SENT ME THE ARTICLE FROM GREEN BAY WISCONSIN WHERE I AM FROM. I WAS HURT AND UPSET THAT THIS KIND OF THING CAN HAPPEN. I GUESS THAT IS THE JOB WE ENTERED. OFFICER ETTER REST IN PEACE AND REMEMBER YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

DEPUTY J.KROENING
# 8588

DEPUTY J. KROENING
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S ( FLORIDA KEYS )

August 28, 2004

Rest in peace, my brother. You are not forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 22, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, July 22, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Officer Robert Galen Etter Jr., and Officer Stephanie Rae Markins who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer's Markins and Etter's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

July 22, 2004

To all of you who have left such touching words of care & concern, know that our family thanks you and appreciates your kind words. Thank you to all the law enforcement officers out there for protecting us each and every day. There are few words that can express my pride and love that I feel for my father each and every day. The loss I have will never be lifted and the hole in my heart will never be filled. He was truely the best father a child could ever have. And his dedication to our family was beyond the norm. No man could have been loved more by his family and friends. I miss him deeply. Please remember him in your acts of kindness to others.

All those in the law enforcement community & family...
WE LOVE YOU! God bless & keep you every day!

Julie Etter
proud daughter of Officer Robert Etter Jr
EOW 7/22/02

Julie Etter-Messerli
daughter of Officer Robert Etter

January 23, 2004

To our brother in blue may you rest in peace. Your family, friends, and co workers are in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Officer D. Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

Subject:An Officer Recalls the Day

I thought I would share this story:

At Wisc. Memorial Service; The Public Finally Got It

08/06/2002

by Deputy Chief Rick Concepcion, Winthrop Harbor (Ill.) Police Department

I went to the police memorial service for officers Robert Etter and Stephanie Markins of the Hobart, Wisconsin police Department last week.

An angry man who intentionally rammed his pickup truck at over 70 mph into the side of their squad car -- as they sat parked on a side street going over paperwork -- and killed the two police officers. As is traditional in police work we wanted to attend the service to both pay our respects and represent our agency.

My partner and I left early in the morning to complete the long two-and-a-half-hour drive from Winthrop Harbor, Ill. to Green Bay, Wisc.

I've been to other police funerals so I sort of knew what to expect. There would be the usual memorials and speakers. There would be the long procession of police cars that would perturb motorists who really didn't care about what happened but simply wanted to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. Every now and then someone walking along the sidewalk might glance up for a moment, then continue on their way. People mowing their lawn or washing their car would scarcely even notice all the squad cars parading by. And at the memorial site a preacher and some politicians would speak and we would all eventually cry.

I am not ashamed to cry at these things, as a matter of fact I always say, "I cry proudly and unashamed!"

Crying is part of the natural grieving process and as my father used to say, "If God didn't mean for us to cry he wouldn't have given us tear ducts."

I've always considered it a point of pride that Cops cry for one another. My friends in the business world don't experience that type of bond with their fellow workers. If a man or woman in the human resources department of your local corporate America business firm passes away you'd never see business people from all the surrounding firms, much less people from out of state businesses coming to pay their respects. That type of bond just isn't there.



But in Law Enforcement, when a Cop is killed in the line of duty you see Cops from all over the country driving there to show their respects and attend the funeral.

Why? It's because we understand that we must rely on each other for our very survival. I always remind my friends who work in corporate America that there isn't people hating them and trying to kill them simply because of what they do. But police officers are targeted everyday by people trying to harm or kill us simply because we're police officers. And as I was about to find out people are finally starting to understand this.

We arrived to the normal scene of hundreds of police cars lined up for the procession. There was the traditional motorcycle officers ("Motors' as they're known in police circles) that would be leading the procession to the memorial or burial site. We got out of the car and began the usual walking around looking at the cars from all the jurisdictions. A loud reunion of friends who had not seen each other since the last police funeral could be sporadically heard erupting every now and then. Everyone had washed and waxed their cars so they would look good and everyone had on their best uniforms. All had the dark mourning band across their badge of office. Whether it was a star, shield, circle, or any other badge of office a strip of dark cloth to show mourning and respect for the fallen officers respectfully covered it.

One of the 'host officers' directed us to the refreshment table where we could get the usual soft drinks, coffee, and snacks while we waited for the procession to begin. Since there were so many cars and officers present the snack table was some two blocks away. No problem. We needed to stretch our legs anyway after the long drive. It was when we began walking that I got my first clue that this one was going to be different.

As we walked along the road I did what all Cops do and began looking around and taking in my surroundings always looking for the danger or the threat. But I saw neither this day. Instead I saw something that I had never seen in my 15 years on the job, I saw people lining both sides of the road. They weren't washing their cars, mowing their lawns, or trying not to be seen by us. Instead they were sitting, standing, pulling out more chairs to sit on, bringing their children out, and even bringing out wheelchair bound elderly people! They did not avert their gaze the way a lot of street people do when we look at them. Instead they stared back at us and locked our gaze. Not in a challenging or disrespectful way but instead they gave us a look of sympathy, caring, as if they were sharing our pain. I found myself quickly averting my gaze, puzzled by what I was seeing. For as long as I can remember the police have always been the "red headed step children" of the public safety world. All love the Fire Department and all seem to dislike the Police. That's the way it's always been.

There's a popular joke that says "The fire department kicks in your door, breaks out your windows, burns your house down while filling your basement with thousands of gallons of water and people love them! We (Police) kick down a door to serve a search warrant on a drug house and we get sued!" There's truth in all humor as the saying goes and this joke is one understood by both firefighters and police alike. But on this day I wasn't seeing any of that dislike or hate in the faces of these people lining the road. I was seeing genuine caring and, as I was about to find out very soon, this warmth here was just the tip of the iceberg.

We heard a quick blast of a police siren and soon saw the flashing red and blue lights of the squad cars begin to come to life and we knew it was time to begin the long procession to the memorial site. First the motorcyle cops roared by, along our right side ahead of the limousines with the dark tinted windows that carried the families of the slain officers.

As the cars slowly began to move we tucked our squad car tightly in behind the one in front of us. As we passed block after block we saw the same thing over and over, a lot of people lining the roads as we passed. I commented to my partner that this was kind of unusual and he said nothing as his head just moved back and forth taking in the sight of all the people. Then, as we drove under a viaduct we saw something that just touched our heart so very deeply. Standing on the side of the road were two young girls holding up signs.

These girls weren't smiling or giggling as most young girls do in large group settings, instead they had a somber and respectful look on their face. I think my partner and I must have read the signs at the same time. Written in red and blue letters on white poster board was the message which read "YOU'RE OUR AMERICAN HEROES! FOR ALL YOU DO, THANK YOU!" The very moment I read that simple message and saw the looks on those kids' faces I could feel the tears come streaming down my face. My partner who had also started to cry blurted out "I was doing good up until now."

I could only reply with a very coarse "yeah". I sat there in the passenger seat of our squad car with tears running down my face falling onto my dress blue uniform. Every time we hit even the lightest of bumps my medals on my uniform would clank together and tears would drip down off of my cheeks onto my jacket. It took me several minutes to gather myself together enough to talk to my partner. "This is like nothing I've ever seen before" I said. There were hundreds of people lining the procession routes. They were all sizes, shapes, colors, and ages. Many were waving flags some were saluting but all wore that same sympathetic somber look that I had seen with the people on the lawn when I first arrived. It was touching! My entire career those two little words -- "Thank You", that I would have died for -- now were on signs held by kids and in the eyes of everyone I looked at!

It was just so overwhelming that I really didn't know how to take it. I wanted to have my partner stop the car so I could get out and run into the arms of these people, bury my head in their shoulder and cry my eyes out. It seems that too many times in the job of a police officer we cannot allow ourselves to become emotional at even the most tragic of calls. We have to be strong and concentrate on out duties. But here today at this memorial service it was our turn to cry, our turn to let loose with our emotions and for the first time I felt joined with the public that I served and I wanted to sit down and have a good old fashioned cry with them. But all I could manage was a slight wave every now and then and a slight smile. We just did not know how to take all this show of solidarity and support.

A few miles later it was my partners turn to have his emotional moment. My partner was a former Fire Fighter and one of the highest honors and/or tributes that a fire department can give is that of the "Crossed Aerials." This is when two fire trucks with tall extendable ladders face each other and extend the ladders to their highest reach and cross these ladders in the center, and thus you have the "Crossed Aerials." As we made a turn I heard him exclaim "Oh no! This is it!" and I looked ahead and there they were, two ladder fire trucks with their tall aerial ladders raised and crossed in salute over the road. We would drive right under them. This was the first time in my career that I have ever seen this most honorable of fire service salutes rendered to a police officer, and it was very moving. Tears again!

As we traveled this 10-mile route the people lining the roads were just tremendous. They stood out there in the hot sun holding signs, waiving flags, and saluting us. I was beginning to wonder if I would have any tears left to cry when I got the actual ceremony.

When we finally pulled into the beautiful park where the ceremony was to take place, we were met by the sight of all the Motor officers standing at the position of 'parade rest' in front of their big Harley Davidson motorcycles.

We parked and made our way to the ceremonial area where the podium and chairs were set up. I was amazed at all the media trucks with their big satellite dishes set up and cameras everywhere. At first I was a little put off by the media because my first thoughts were that I wanted this to be somewhat private. I wanted to stand here with my 300 to 500 'brothers and sisters in arms' and have a good cry. I didn't want the whole world watching me stand there crying my eyes out. But then the more I thought about it the more I realized that I was glad the media was there because I wanted them to see how we all pull together when one of our own is senselessly killed. I wanted the people to see that we are humans and we do hurt just like anyone else who doesn't wear a uniform and risk their life.

The ceremony started and the first speaker put the whole thing into context for me. Pastor Dan Carlson, speaking with an emotionally filled voice that crackled as he held back his own tears, spoke of the September 11th events and how it pulled the country together. Then he said that as he saw all the support and love for the police and firefighters who put their lives on the line every day he said "I was so glad to see that "THEY FINALLY GOT IT! NOW THEY UNDERSTAND!"

There were many other speakers and there many tears cried that day by many people whom you would not normally see moved to that type of emotion. And like Pastor Dan Carlson, I am so thankful that people finally understand what I've been trying to explain for the past 15 years to people I know, that we put our lives on the line willingly and all we ask in return is a simple 'Thank You'!

Police officers do not put their life on the line for pay, for medals, for letters of recognition or anything like that. We do what we do for each other and for the people for whom we serve. Ours is a noble profession of Duty, Honor, and Service. For that commitment we are underpaid, suffer the highest divorce rates in the nation, and often times are killed or maimed in the line of duty. And for all that a simple 'Thank You' is all we would hope for in reward or recognition. What kind of men and women does it take to accept such a horrendous calling? Ask yourself that the next time you see a police officer.



Editor's Note,
Rick Concepcion is Deputy Chief for the Winthrop Harbor Police Department. He has been on the job for 15 years and has seen a great deal many things (as many other Cops have) both good and bad.

"I found that writing my reflections down helps me to deal with and vent my emotions."

CJ Howard
Fire Research Analyst/Emergency Management
Plano Fire Department

Anonymous

Another Great Hero taken from us by a coward.
God Bless Robert,the members of His Dept. and His Family.

Detective JC Johnson
Danville PD VA.

Officer Etter, you have made the ultimate sacrifice to your community, the state of Wisconsin, and the United States. May God watch over you as you rest in peace. May your family, friends, and loved ones know that you did not die in vain, but remember you for how you lived.

God bless my brother in blue.

In Valor There Is Hope.

Officer Farrell
Mount Pleasant Police Department
Racine, Wisconsin

Police Officer Farrell
Mount Pleasant Police Department

THANK YOU! MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY,FRIENDS, AND THE OFFICERS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT! REST IN PEACE!

911 DISPATCHER
TN

You will never be forgotten....God Bless you all

PO1 Kari Widup
Montgomery County Police, MD

Our deepest sympathies to your family. May God be with you in the days ahead to comfort you and give you strength.

Kris Rao Haimbach
Moore, SC
Sister of fallen SCHP Sr Tpr Michael Rao
EOW 6/12/02

Kris Rao Haimbach
Sister of fallen SCHP Sr Tpr Michael Rao

I am deeply saddened by this incident. I am praying for the family and friends of Officer Etter. Rest in peace Officer Markins.

Corrcetions Officer Ryan Bassett
Minnesota Department of Corrections

You have answered the final call. Such a tragedy, it truly hurts to know that there is someone out there with that much hate for the ones who "protect" them, when in need. RIP brother.....

Lt. W.R. Phillips
CCA Lake City Correctional Facility

REST IN PEACE..WATCH OVER THE REST OF US FROM ABOVE

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Robert Etter's famliy, friends and co-workers. You are not alone in your grief. Your law enforcement family is with you to help you through this storm.
Psalms 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols

WHEN IS THIS MESS GONNA END. Most leo's are very respectful and deserve better treatment than what they are getting. the pay is not enough tho you choose to protect and serve who is protecting you I pray for you all!

Our deepest condolonces go out to the family and friends of Officer Etter. May he be recieved in Heaven as the true hero he is.

Deportation Officer
USINS

Family, friends & co-workers,
You are in my thoughts & prayers. I'd like to share a poem with you that has helped comfort me in my loss.

"I'll See You Again Some day"

I remember our last touch,
But, today that memories not enough.
To keep these tears out of my eyes.
To fill this void left in my life.
Tho we may be far apart,
You still live here in my heart.
I'll see you again someday,
With open arms you'll walk my way.
You'll be there at heavens gate,
And once again we'll embrace,
Oh, I'll see you again some day.

Thro the years I could always count on you,
Up to the end your love helped pull me thro.
Knowing you has made me strong,
Thro my life you will live on.
Missing you is not quite as hard,
Each day I will remind my heart,
I'll see you again some day,
With open arms you'll walk my way,
You'll be there at heavens gate
And once again we'll embrace,
Oh, I'll see you again some day

Oh, I'll see you again some day.

May God bless you & keep you safe.
Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin E. Taylor NCHP E.O.W. 10-3-01

Telecommunicator
NC Highway Patrol

Rest in peace my brother.. My you rest in peace and god bring peace to your family,and when we get to heaven well make sure we take your watch and the front gates.

Deputy
Lee County Sheriffs Office

Family and Friends,
Your saddness is felt by so many and we are a family that cares deeply for you. Our hearts are grieving with you and we are praying for you to have strength as you walk through this storm.

Cathy Hill
surviving spouse
Deputy Barrett Hill
e.o.w. 12/4/00
Phil. 4:13

Rest in peace, Officer Etter, your work here is done. You're joining some of the finest. God Bless those you left behind.

"Final 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




Rest in Peace.
Brother in Blue, And God's Speed.

Rusty Redican
L.A.P.D.