Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It’s not always easy to comprehend that each law enforcement officer memorialized on this site, every single one, was someone’s child, many, a husband or wife, mother or father, brother or sister, cousin, friend, or neighbor. Each had dreams, and hopes, and each had good days and bad. They all laughed, and they all cried. Every one of them planned on tomorrow, a tomorrow that never came. Chris is part of a gut punching long list of heroes immortalized here, and in that sense, he and his eternal colleagues of courage, will live forever. Make no mistake as you scroll through these vignettes of tragedy, these officers were real people, and the loss of their presence, the irreparable hole ripped into the lives of those left behind is tangible and enduring. Each of their lives is overshadowed by their in the line of duty death, and that is what we commemorate here, but let’s never forget the families, friends, and coworkers who were fortunate enough to know them prior to their last day. And it is to them, Chris’s family, his friends, and his coworkers (of which I was one), that I say: Chris’s death has never gotten less sad, but we are collectively more enriched for having known him before December 22, 2002 - a toast to Chris.

Tim Barge
Former Lieutenant, East Point PD

December 22, 2023

21 years. 252 months. 1095 weeks. 7670 days. That is how long it has been since anyone has heard your laugh. Seen your smile. Give a smirk. Tell a joke so lame you crack yourself up. It is hard to believe it has been that long. Some days it feels like it was just yesterday. Other days it feels like it is a just a dream and we're going to wake up and you are going to be right there. Chris you were destined to do great things. You were the one that was more than likely to make a change. God I Miss You. I miss you so much that it hurts so bad.

Stephanie Prowant (formerly Betts)
Sister

December 22, 2023

Chris is what we need today in this profession. He was on fire for the JOB. Chris wanted to learn all there was and how to do it right.

The COBRA Unit mentored to him, we knew that he was gonna be a rising star. Chris would work when ever and arrest the bad guy. He would then take the Q & A of how we could have done it better and what was the elements of the crime that needed to be in that Code 5.

Chris it’s 2023 and as I sit by fire in July

Sergeant Trent Williams & K9 Tex
East Point Police for life

July 9, 2023

20 years brother. You’d laugh at how old and out of shape we all are now compared to back then. Some of us are still in the game. You are missed and remembered with respect.

Sergeant Mike Sheehan
Holly Springs Police Department

December 23, 2022

Officer Betts,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 22, 2022

It is unimaginable that it has been 20 years. Your loss is still felt as if it was yesterday. You are missed by many.

Former Lieutenant Timothy Barge
East Point Police Department

December 21, 2022

Brother, I can't believe it has been 19 years. I miss you, we all miss you. Always hard for me to find the words to say. I know you are watching us from above, I also know you visit the house, trust me Kim does too. I love you and miss you.

Brian
Brother

December 22, 2021

Think of you often brother. We all still do.

Michael Sheehan

December 22, 2021

With each year’s Christmas week comes the cold slap of the tragedy of 2002. You are not forgotten…none of it is forgotten.

Tim Barge
Former Lieutenant, East Point Police Department

December 22, 2021

I miss you. Hard to comprehend that you were taken almost 19 years ago. I am struggling real bad this year. I miss you. I want you to come home. I want to hear your laugh. I want to hear your smart a** jokes. I want my big brother.

Stephanie (Betts) Prowant
Sister

December 20, 2021

I reflected on you today. Trenton is a young man now. I try to imagine how you would view social media and al the crazy things that have come to pass since you left. Never forgotten brother.

Sergeant Mike Sheehan
Holly Springs Police Department

December 22, 2020

Eighteen years? Can it really have been eighteen years ago? It seems like yesterday, and I wish it was tomorrow so I could say, “No. Don’t work over on the Morning Watch. Just go home. Rest up for the drive to Ohio.” We just didn’t know. We never know. You are missed. You are not forgotten.

Former Lieutenant T. D. Barge
East Point Police Department

December 22, 2020

So many years later, you’re still remembered by so many people, often with a smile or laugh. Every year, on the anniversary of your death we attend your gravesite, and every year, in January, I unwrap the snowman K-9 ornament your parents donated to all the officers working when you were killed and think of you, again. This ornament stays out all month, on my windowsill, giving cause for reflection.

It may be foolish that so many speak to you on this site, but we do, and your son, a young man now, would surely make you proud - he looks so much like you. Still remembering....

Captain ACH - please leave as anonymous
East Point Police, Retired

January 3, 2020

Their several friends of mine, Police Officers, listed at the site. I go back decades to when they were killed, all Jersy City Police. I want to honor there lives.

Former Patrol Officer
Jersey City Police Dept

December 22, 2019

It never lessens, the sad, but the rawness of that morning is fading. You are missed, Chris Betts, and you are not forgotten.

Former Lieutenant Timothy Barge
East Point Police Department

December 22, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Betts.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 8, 2019

"The 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

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell Police department
Powell, Wyoming

May 28, 2019

My condolences to Officer Betts’ family and friends. To Officer Betts’ family you raised a fine young man. I was in the mighty 411th MP Company (Speed and Power) with Chris but we were not in the same platoon. I met Chris numerous times because he was our company commander’s driver. I knew Chris had a great sense of humor. Sadly most of the time he had to keep it under wraps during our interactions because our company commander was with him. I do remember we were once assigned to work an ammo detail together at a rifle range. We assisted in distributing ammo to soldiers for qualification. We must have given out ammo to over 100 soldiers that day. Chris had told me a pretty good joke that morning. I would hear Chris tell the same joke to almost every soldier we gave ammo to that day. I laughed every time he told the joke. I laughed every time not because the joke was funny (it was funny). I laughed every single time because of his delivery, how much joy he took in telling it and also his laughter.

Recently I viewed video footage of an Officer in our department struggling to keep a man suffering from mental illness from walking across a busy highway at night while pushing a cart. Fortunately our Officer was able to hold down the man until backup got there several minutes later. Luckily no one was hurt. Watching the video I couldn’t help but think of Chris. I later sent up an email to our Chief praising our Officer for his actions that day. In the same email I also paid tribute to Chris for his sacrifice. My Chief would send my email to my entire department. My entire department now knows all about Chris and the sacrifice he made.

In closing to Chris’ family and friends just know there are people in the Great State ofTexas that still remember and honor Chris.

Tony Nixon
Fellow soldier

December 22, 2018

Sixteen years...it does not seem possible. An entire lifetime for your son. You are missed. You are not forgotten.

Former Lt. T. D. Barge
East Point Police Department

December 21, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

December 23, 2017

15 years brother. I wonder what we’d all be like if you were still running the streets with us. You are missed.

Sergeant Mike Sheehan
Holly Springs Police Department

December 22, 2017

Saddam Hussein was still in power, and the U. S. was three months away from invading Iraq. Atlanta still had a hockey team. The Falcons, led by, the now infamous, Michael Vick, were preparing to play the Lions that weekend. Many people were reporting their first ever online purchases for Christmas. These were the headlines of December 21, 2002. By December 22nd, you were the headline. You were working overtime on the morning watch and preparing to drive to Ohio later that day with your wife and 7 week old son for his first Christmas. Fifteen years, and sixteen Christmases later, we still feel the terrible sting. We still share the tragedy with your family. We still shed the tears. We still...remember.

Former Lt. T. D. Barge
East Point Police Department

December 22, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 17, 2017

You won't be forgotten. I still see the love your brothers in blue still carry in our hearts for you.

Det. Justin Dola
Retired UCPD, FCSO, FPD, PPD

July 5, 2017

I remember the phone call coming in about you and Jamie. You are on my mind so many times throughout the year but particularly during this time and particularly so this year. I remember having taught you in the Academy and so many times after that seeing you in your training officer's office. Each time I pass that particular stretch of highway (usually coming back from Forsyth!!) I think of you and Jamie on that night. Thank you for your service to both your country and to East Point and for your passion for that service!!

Marilee Gibson

December 22, 2016