Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family friends and co-workers. We will never forget the sacrifice. P.B.S.O K9 Unit

Cpl. Lee Sands
Palm Beach County Sheriff Dept.

Once again I have come to this page praying that not one officer had been added since my last time here.

Once again my worst fears were realized.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of this fallen hero. Below are the words to a poem written by a Canadian Army Medical Officer in World War I. Although written a long time ago, about a different war, the sentiment rings true for the war we wage against those who want to disrupt the peace. 

May you rest in Peace Brother. We'll take the watch from here.




In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Maj. McCrae, Canadian First Field Artillery Brigade
1914-1918, Flanders, Belgium

Disabled Peace Officer

Officer Gernale,
God Bless your wife and children. You are a true American Hero and you will not be forgotten.

Officer
Clearwater Police Department (FL)

My prayers are for your family and co-workers. You did not die in vain;America is better because of your service. Rest in peace Sir.

Captain Robert Cannon, Retired
Vermilion County(IL) Sheriff's Dept.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Gernale family and Beaumont Police Dept.

Anonymous

Everytime I come to the ODMP and find a new name, I am saddened. May god give His great peace to the family of Officer Gernale. May it comfort them to know that others are feeling their loss.

Anonymous

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Gernale... I'm so very sorry for your loss. What a great hero. For 12 years protecting the innocent. He's at rest now. My God bless and comfort you.

Jamie Johnson, surviving sister of
Officer Jon Cook
San Francisco Police Department

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

God Bless

Officer D. Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

Yet another brother in blue has his wings, may you rest in peace you are now in heaven!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Deputy M. Mills
Kent County Sheriff Department

Mt prayers are with Officer Gernale's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. Your law enforcement family is with you today and always. Miles may separate us, but love knows no bounds. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - Surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

My prayers go out to this officers family. It saddens me to see another officer killed in the line of duty. May you rest in peace.

Shelly Ragsdale
widow of Officer Alan Ragsdale (killed in line of duty on November 27, 2000)

Rest in peace blue angel. God bless those left behind.

S. Yates
concerned citizen

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Gernale may God be with you all in this time of sorrow. My family and I know what you will be going through and you must just take it one day at a time to get through. Officer Gernale is now in a safer place watching over all of us. Rest in peace Officer Gernale.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Azure, EOW 08/06/2002

Deb Azure

I never thought it would be me,
My name for all of eternity.
Recorded here at this hallowed place,
Alas, my name, no more my face.
"In the line of duty" I hear them say,
My family now the price to pay.
My folded flag stained with tears,
We only had those few short years.
The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind.
I never dreamed it would be me.
And with a heavy heart and bent knee,
I ask for all here from the past...
Dear God, let my name be the last.

Peace be with you and your family brother. We'll continue the watch for you.

Anonymous

How it forever saddens me to see another name here.....

May the Lord wrap his arms around your family .

Blessed are the peacemakers, for the are the children of God.
Matthew5:9

Anonymous

A PART OF AMERICA DIED
SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED. A PIECE OF OUR COUNTRY HE SWORE TO PROTECT WILL BE BURIED WITH HIM AT HIS SIDE. THE SUSPECT WHO KILLED HIM WILL STAND UP IN COURT, WITH COUNSEL DEMANDING HIS RIGHTS, WHILE A WIDOWED MOTHER MUST WORK FOR HER KIDS AND SPEND ALONE MANY LONG NIGHTS. THE BEAT THAT HE WORKED WAS A BATTLEFIELD, TOO, JUST AS IF HE'ED GONE OFF TO WAR. THOUGH THE FLAG OF OUR NATION WON'T FLY AT HALF MAST, TO HIS NAME THEY WILL ADD A GOLD STAR. YES, SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, IT HAPPENED IN YOUR TOWN OR MINE. WHILE WE SLEPT IN COMFORT BEHIND OUR LOCKED DOORS, A COP PUT HIS LIFE ON LINE. NOW HIS GHOST WALKS A BEAT ON DARK CITY STREET, AND HE STANDS AT EACH NEW ROOKIE'S SIDE, HE ANSWERED THE CALL AND GAVE US HIS ALL, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED. POEM FOR LEO'S KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY.

Anonymous

THE POLICEMAN’S 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 just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many 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 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 judgement 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

Rusty Redican
L.A.P.D.