Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The sadness is the same. The rawness is fading. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

T.D. BARGE
Former Lieutenant, East Point P.D.

December 21, 2008

Chris, can it be that i may be forgetting you. How can i live with that... I wish you where here, i miss you like no one knows. I think life would be so much diffrent, i ask God if I could go back in time, just to say i Love you one last time. Im not sure when the last time i said that to you. But i know that you can hear my prayers at night, and when i talk to you. I love you Christopher, honestly i do. Wish things could have been diffrent back then, wish it was all a dream, a big nightmare. But we all know it isnt, and we just need to push through with each other. May i never forget you, what u did, and who you were to me. I love ya dude.

Anonymous

October 8, 2008

No matter what color the patrol car I sit in is or where it takes me, I always see you sitting next to me with that goofy smile, and every time, I miss you just a little more! When I see all you left behind, even Logan and Shelby, I realize you touched everyone and everything you met and some you never had the chance to meet. I hope all the heroes that bless this page get to one day meet what we all miss so much.

Officer K. Smith
Fairburn PD

June 10, 2008

Thought I saw you today, you were standing in the sun then you turned away, and I knew it couldn;t be but my hear believed. Oh it seems like there's something everyday, how could you be so far away? song by faith hill

chris,
I was thinking about you today along with all of my old friends from the Point! I still remember that night. I wish I could go back and save you, it's not fair that your family and friend have had to suffer like this! I wish I could make it better but I cant! I suppose I will have to wait until I get to heaven to tell you what a great friend you were and how I feel lucky to have known you!

friend

May 18, 2008

For some reason I find myself returning to Ofc. Betts' page. His death impacted me 5 years ago and I've remembered his name ever since. My prayers are with his family. I hope his little boy grows up knowing what a great officer his dad was.

Thank you Ofc. Betts for serving your country and your community. Your death is not in vain, officers all over this country will be better at their job because of you.

Thank you and God Bless.

Police Officer
Chester County, PA

April 3, 2008

Chris, its been awhile since i've been here. But as you know i've been busy. It has been over 5 yrs, and still i am in disbelief. Im doing bigger and better things now, something you always wanted me to do. No i didnt join the army, but i did join the navy. I've started my life, and wish you where here to see me. But then again you are. Each day when i put the uniform on i think of you, and how proud you are of me. You always wanted me to join the military, and here i am, dressed in blues. I will give you the honor you deserve, a proper salute one day. I've been through hell, and back, and yet im still here. I take the crap they throw at me and use the advice wisely. Chris i just ask that you watch over all of us. For soon we all will be going to the desert. And i will be honored to go, and serve over there, knowing that my family is sleeping in peace. Be with me and all my Shipmates, and their families. I love you brother, i always have and always will, untill i see you again.

EOCR Betts, Brian, J.
USNR

EOCR Betts,Brian,J.
Brother

February 29, 2008

Proud of you son. Sometimes it seems it would be nice to go back and relive your little boy days, but seeing the person you had become brings more joy and happiness than going back ever could!

Thank you for the wonderful memories and your time with all of us and for being such a fine son.....

You are remembered and missed by so many everyday, however, the memory of you lives on forever.

All our love and thoughts to you on this special day - Happy Birthday Son.

All our love to you,

Mom and Dad
Dad and Mom

Robert & Marianne Betts
Parents

February 16, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 23, 2007

On this 5 year anniversary of your EOW, we are thinking of you, your family and co-workers. Please watch over them during this rough holiday season. You are missed, but remembered by the reflections on these pages. Thank you for your service, you are a true hero and will not be forgotten.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

December 22, 2007

It's been 5 years. I miss you tons. Thank you for everything bubs.

Stephanie

December 22, 2007

Off. Betts, you are not forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and Members of the East Point Police Family.

Sr Dispatcher
Coweta Co So, GA

December 22, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
manchester, nh

December 21, 2007

It doesn't hurt as much anymore, but it still hurts.

MoMo

December 20, 2007

As the Christmas time approaches, I sit and reflect on the years gone by. I never seem to forget that night. There are so many things I wish I could have told you.

To your family,,,I send a big hug,,Know that Chris is thought about so much by so many ,,,thank you for sharing him and for how you raised him..what a blessing he was and still is today..

God Bless

former co-worker

December 7, 2007

Chris,

I have been thinking about you a ton lately. You have been in my dreams for several nights now. I know that you are with me, and I can't thank you enough for it! I love you dearly and always will. I so wish you were here, in body, right now. I could really use a big brother! Please continue to be with me, if I can't see you, atleast I can feel your presence!

Love you always,
Sissy, your 'other' little sister

Sissy

September 21, 2007

Chris I think about you often...RIP brother

Lt. Chris Clark
Fairburn/ formerly East Point

August 27, 2007

Thanks for being with me last night. Also, I am sure you know the good news. Keep watching over us all.
Thanks again.

Ofc. Kohlrieser
Brother-in-law

August 8, 2007

I still think of you often. I tell stories of you to the Officers here in Tennesse.

To Jamie,

Stay safe over there...

GEL
former co worker

July 31, 2007

Dooby dooby doooooo. Lord, I wish I could hear those words from you just once more and see your smiling face. I hope you know how often we think of you. John can't talk about you without crying. I know it's been over 4 years, but some days it seems like we told you goodbye yesterday. I love you and miss you very much. Between you and Rick, you kept John in line. Please watch over him for me.

Christie

Christie
2nd mom

July 25, 2007

As I stood at the Tavern toasting Weinmann's departure to the Middle East, I was toasting Chris as well. The two were inseparable, and they are just as inseparable today! I think Chris was with us all that night toasting Jamie. Jamie, I know you read these, and I want you, and everyone, to know that you are an inspiration to hundreds. You were there to send Chris off, on a stretcher, five days after having been struck by the same vehicle. We could not believe our eyes that cold day in December, but there you were...in uniform...saluting your friend. We now salute you. You are, literally, a walking miracle. Your work is done at East Point...be safe "over there"! To you, and to Chris's family in Georgia, in Ohio, and throughout the country, rest assured, we will not forget Chris. Several of us have moved on, but we still remember every tragic second like it was yesterday.

"GRIEF IS AN HONOR

Accumulated grief and sorrow, no longer to be held at bay, have swarmed up and blown the hinges off the gate. Grief and sorrow have flattened me. After the gate flew open, I learned the most important lessons of my life. I learned that grief is precisely equivalent to love, and the terrible grief felt after the loss of a person one
has loved deeply is a necessary consequence of that love and represents its survival in another form. However bitterly, grief is an honor. I learned that grief universally saturates and enriches our world, for sooner or later loss of an almost unimaginable order transforms everyone. Parents die, brothers and sisters die, even children die, and these deaths create irreparable wounds that shrink over time but never heal. On all sides, tears lie just beneath the surface. The emotion that gives rise to
those tears is a connective tissue extending far, far down into our common humanity and our individual beings, and in those depths it becomes indistinguishable from joy."

-July 16, 2007-

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

July 16, 2007

Well its been since your birthday bro. Not a lot going on. Celebrated Jason's 30th birthday, Mom and Dad's 32nd Anniversary, and Brian's 21st....oh lord, be with him so he doesn't make any stupid mistakes since he's now at the legal age! Nothing new really going on with me. Just looking for a job - Ft Wayne must not be a great place to start a career or find a job! Anyways, I miss you much. I love you!!


JAMIE (if you read before you leave)...BE SAFE. I am always thinking about you and the family. I miss all of you guys a lot. I wish I lived closer to all of you down in Georgia, but my time hasn't come to be down there yet. Anyways - I love you and your family.

SHANNON & TRENTON - I miss you guys so much! I am sorry that I can't come visit as often as I would like to. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Shannon - Trenton is growing up into a handsome young boy. God how I miss you guys so much. Hope to see you some time soon.

EPPD OFFICERS - Thank you for everything that you have done for the family during the end of December 2002 and since December 2002. You will always be an extended family to us up in Ohio. We all miss you guys bunches!!

FOR EVERYONE ELSE - Thank you so much for all the reflections you have left. They mean so much to the family!

Chris - you will never be forgotten. We all love you so much.

Love you - Stephanie

Stephanie Betts

July 16, 2007

Hey bro, wow how things change. Weinmann is going to the beach and Matt has a house, who would have ever thought that would happen. Here at the point its different as well. Everyone is leaving you would not even know it now. Its been 4 1/2 years it just does not seem like that long. I cant even come close to understanding what your family is going through but they know your there with them. Well I guess I just wanted to let you know I have not forgotten and I hope nobody else does either. It strange standing in the lobby and watching people look at your picture and thinking if you only knew what he did and what he gave up to protect you. Anyway talk to you later.

Phillips
EPPD

June 22, 2007

Officer Betts- I often visit the Officer Down Memorial Site. It is training and a daily reminder of the dangers all of us police officers face. After reading your Memorial Page, and some of your reflections, I am dedicating my next shift on 6/19/07, 1PM-5PM a traffic enforcement detail and my regular shift 11PM-7:00AM on 6/19/07, in your honor. My agency is in the metro Chicago area. I printed your picture and your agency patch, I will be carrying them in my uniform pocket during my shift. RIP Brother in Blue.

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

June 19, 2007

Thanks for eveything. A big thanks for being with me friday, as well as the tought times leading up to that day. Stay with me throughout my beat as I know you will. Keep watching us, were thinking of you always.

Ofc. Kohlrieser
Brother-in-law

June 10, 2007

As one chapter closes another one opens. I was to carry on the story 'til I retired so no one would forget. They would look at me and know about you. Things change and they don't need me to know about you. Watch over Mama and the boys while I'm playing in the sandbox.

Love Always,
MoMo

MoMo

May 5, 2007