Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Conrad..

September 6, 2002 was a night that changed my life. I have never completely healed from the injuries I recieved inside my Ambulance that night. The worst injury I sustained was seeing you leave us.
I remember you most as loving your family so dearly. I don't remember one time that I spoke to you, that you didn't mention your them. You were a blessing to us all and we miss you. Rest in Peace.

Paramedic J. David Crumpton
Beaumont EMS Retired

July 18, 2006

I don't know why you were the one chosen. So many questions go unanswered. But, maybe that is for the best. I often still talk with some of the guys about you. One thing is common in all these conversations. we all talk with a smile on our face. Even now you still can do that my friend. To any Bmt. Police officer who reads this. I respect you all. Live like Conrad did. Positive, ready, willing, and able to always go to work. I know I am just a security officer, but, I am here for any of you who need a friend. I need a friend. Because I lost one in Conrad.

Bennie White
Former explorer

January 23, 2006

i remember one day when you told your dad
"don't worry dad, one day you will be proud of me." it gave me the chills when i heard you say that. anyway i didn't realize it will come out like this. i miss you so much. i miss you checking on us during chow time. i pray to our almighty to embrace you into his kingdom to give you eternal rest. love you

lily gernale
mother

January 13, 2006

ITS ALREADY BEEN 3 LONG YEARS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM US. ALOT OF US CAN STILL REMEMBER AS IF IT WAS ONLY YESTERDAY. FOR MYSELF, THE PAIN AND THE EMPTYNESS HAVE NEVER GONE AWAY. I STILL HURT AND LONG FOR YOU EVERYDAY. I TRY TO DO MY BEST TO LOOK AFTER ANNA AND THE KIDS. BUT SOMETIMES WISHING YOU WERE STILL WITH US IS THE HARDEST. YOUR CHILDREN ARE ALL GROWING UP AND GETTING BIGGER EACH DAY. ANNA LIKE ALWAYS IS DOING HER BEST. I KNOW THAT IT IS HARD FOR HER BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE MISSING SO MUCH IN THEIR
LIVES. SHE IS VERY STRONG AND I CAN ONLY TRY TO GAIN STRENGTH FROM HER. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS SO MUCH DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THESE DAYS, I AM IN A WAY GLAD YOU ARE NOT HERE TO SEE IT. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND ALWAYS MISS YOU SO MUCH. THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO HELP US. WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT AND THE SUPPORT OF OTHER PEOPLE I DONT KNOW WHAT WE WOULD DO. THANKS TO EVERYONE AND TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EVERYWHERE PLEASE BE SAFE.

SENIOR OFFICER CAESAR GERNALE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS

September 15, 2005

Today marks 3 years that you have been gone. I think about Anna and the kids often. I know that the PD is a great support system for your family. You are truly missed by so many people. I will always remember what a wonderful person and officer you are. Rest in peace.

Tammie Harrison Lang
Spouse of Deputy JD Lang, Jefferson Co. SO

September 6, 2005

Conrad,

The Memorial has been dedicated. I met your wonderful family and am honored to have been allowed to create a tribute to my friends and fellow officers. We all now have a place to go to remember your service and sacrifice.

Ron Petitt

Ron Petitt

August 22, 2005

Conrad,
If one person ever could say that they were a police officer, it was you. I never saw you without a smile. Your approach to the job is something that other officers could learn from. You were my friend and my ally when no one else would be. I guess God needed a good police officer himself.

Bennie White-Former Explorer
Beaumont police explorers

July 3, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

I would like to stress my gratitude for such a wonderful officer you will forever be missed.

Anonymous

November 29, 2003

Dearest Conrad,

The first anniversary of your death has just passed, and we are in the middle of your trial. Like me, many members of our family have spent the last few days remembering the last time we saw you alive a year ago or so. You have been on our minds. Although we are somehow surviving, life definitely isn't the same without you. Many times, I still feel like I haven't seen you only because you are working an odd shift and are so busy. I would give anything for that to be the case, but sadly it isn't. I know it would comfort you to learn that the Beaumont Police Department comes by to check on your family and has been just wonderful to us. In addition, we have met so many people and learned of many supportive organizations that have done so much to help us during this time. We are so grateful for all of the support and assistance we have received this past year - it has meant so much. However, we all still miss you so, so much. I know that I will always have a huge void in my life because you are gone. Please know that although you are gone physically from this world, our memories and love for you remain very much alive and will be forever. May you rest in peace, dear brother.

Love always,
Charmaine

Charmaine S. Gernale
Sister of Officer Conrad S. Gernale, EOW 9-6-02

September 8, 2003

All of us in blue will have an End of Watch here on this earth, but, there is no End of Watch in Heaven. Conrad Gernale was an outstanding Police Officer and a devout and dedicated Catholic man. Conrad is now standing his watch in Heaven. He was, and always will be my Friend. God always remembers, and so will we. No greater love hath any man than this, that he give up his life for his friends. God bless you, my brother. I will honor you at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC this year, and every year I can attend it. "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit".

Officer J.L. Bowden
Port Neches Police Dept.

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Author unknown

Because Conrad lived, this world, especially the City of Beaumont and those of us that were priviledged to work with him were a MUCH better place and better people for having known him. To his family I can say I had the priviledge of knowing him and working with him and I am a much better person for it. I miss him and think of him often and most times with tears, but also, always with a smile! So remember his smile, his wit, and his heart and smile for having known him and go on. For that is what he would have wanted!

We miss you Conrad, all of us that knew you, miss you!!

Robin R. Ogden, Dispatcher II
Irving Police Dept

A million times we've needed you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could've saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we love you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.


Happy 35th Birhday! We miss you and love you very much!

Christina Gernale

Christina Gernale
Sister of Officer Conrad Gernale EOW9/6/02

A Letter to Dad...

Dear Dad,
I miss you so much, that I wish I could fly to you in heaven everyday and come back to help and sleep with Mom, and also do my homework. The boys miss you so much that Xavier thinks you are still alive. Dad, you got honor from people around Beaumont, and even from people in other places. We had many support from families, and other we don't know. You are my newest guardian angel, but what you have done showed great courage. To me you are my "SIGNS of COURAGE."

Love,
Celina

Celina Grace Gernale

Dear Kuya Conrad,

We wanted to let you know that we are very very proud of you. We wanted to let you know that we miss you. We wanted to let you know that we will never ever forget about you. You know you will always be with us specially when we have our "Gernale" get together. Rest in peace our dear cousin.

love,
jon-jon, jo-jo, jay-jay, mary joy

Dear Charmaine

Thank you for the "reflection" you left on my husband's page, it is greatly appreciate it.

You know that your brother Conrad is in a better place now and I know that with God and together with all his brothers and sisters in blue who have given their lives for us, he still doing his job up in Heaven.

God Bless you and your family and don't forget I am only a phone call or e-mail away. Get in touch with COPS National Office and they will give you my info.

Love your friend

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

To the family and friends of Officer Gernale:

I never knew Officer Gernale personally but in a way, I knew him well. It is obvious that he was a man of honor, a warrior at heart, and a person capable of great love. In that respect, he was just like so many of our brothers and sisters who do their duty on a daily basis. I am deeply saddened to read about the loss of this fine man. May his spirit reside in all of us as we continue to do our duty.

B.D. Smith

Officer B.D. Smith
Denton TX P.D.

I am so moved to read the many reflections that were left on this page. It seems many people know what I have known for numerous years - that Conrad was a wonderful, fantastic police officer, father, son, brother, human being. He always had a great sense of humor and provided our family with much happiness and joy. Like everyone else in our family, I was always proud of him, no more so than the day he became a police officer. Like many family members and friends of all ranks and types of police officers, I never fully took into account the danger he may have been in until the day of his death. It takes great courage to stand up for something you believe in, and it takes the greatest of courage to die for something you believe in. In my heart, my brother will be my greatest hero. It has become my greatest honor to say that I am the sister of a police officer.
For all the friends and family members of and for all police officers, as you have kept in your thoughts and prayers my family, so we will keep all of you in ours. For those of you who are lucky enough to have the police officers in your life alive, we will pray for their continued safety and the ability to carry out their job with the full support of the community and to the best of their abilities. For those of you who have also lost loved ones as we have lost our beloved Conrad, we will pray for the rest of their souls and for the honor of their memories. They all keep us safe and make our communities and world better. A million thanks to everyone who has left a reflection for Conrad and any other police officer on this most honorable Memorial Page. While you may think leaving a reflection is a small gesture, it means the world to me and our family.
Thank you again everyone, and take care out there.

Charmaine S. Gernale
Sister of Officer Conrad S. Gernale, EOW 9-6-02

Conrad....You will truly be missed by all of us. Each day is a healing process for each dispatcher in the office. We know that we can not question what God has done, but there will be many days ahead that we ask ourselves WHY. It is my prayer that we will understand that GOD only wants the best, and you truly were that. Goodbye, my friend I will always remember your smile.

Asst. Supervisor Carolyn A Lewis
Beaumont, PD

I will miss you Conrad even though you will always be with me. You are my big brother and I will never have the chance to pay you back for all the things you did for me when I was little, but now you are at rest and for that I am thankful.

On behalf of the entire Gernale family I would like to thank everyone for their condolences and would like to ask everyone to keep us in their thoughts and prayers.

Craig Gernale (younger brother)

My family and I can not say enough Thank Yous to everyone. We have been truly honored to have such an over whelming show of compassion for us. Truly, we have been very blessed by not only those that we have known but by also those we have never known. Although the lost of my twin brother has been over whelming to us you have
all made it that much easier for us to start healing again.

We will always miss and love my brother but we are somewhat comforted that he is in a better place in Heaven watching over each of us. May God please continue to watch over the law enforcement men and women who put their lives on the line each and everyday. May they always return to their beloved families at the end of their watch. Also may God watch over all his people that we still remaining here may continue to be blessed with his goodness. I say to you now brother may you now rest in peace and know that all of us continue to pray for you. Again, THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT DURING OUR TIME OF NEED. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US,


CAESAR GERNALE

Senior Officer Caesar Gernale
Federal Bureau Of Prisons

conrad, you were my co-worker, but more importantly you were my friend! i will always think of you and miss you.
i know that you are watching us and i hope we make you proud.
love you always "g-man"
ygb/aka tiki

grade I patrol
beaumont police

I was fortunate to have known Conrad for most of the time I have been employed at the Police Department. Rarely does an individual come into our lives and make such an impact as Conrad did. He was every bit the professional that every one talks about, but more than that he was a kind, considerate, honest and really funny guy. May God comfort Anna, the kids, and the rest of the Gernale family during this terrible loss. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Conrad...thanks so much for standing guard until the rest of us arrive in Heaven. I know that Heaven will be a better place because of you as I am better for having known you. Rest in Peace Brother.
Fraternally and Eternally,
Jimmy Bartley

Officer Jimmy Bartley
Beaumont P.D.

Policeman's Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael, Heaven's glorious Commissioner of Police, who so neatly and successfully cleared God's promises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from you own experience with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so suprised the devil, and your angelic self-control gives us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men.

Amen

Detective A. Goudeau
Beaumont Police Department

May you rest in peace. Our prayers are with you and your familiy. We pray that justice will prevail while you are in heaven! GOD BLESS!!!

SGT Bradley Becker
US ARMY Military Police