Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been 5 years since I got a call from my terrified 17 year old daughter. She was hiding in the bathroom after the shots rang out. I told her I loved her and to keep her head down and be quiet, and that help would arrive soon. Two brave officers were at the doughnut shop that night .... One gave all to protect her, and the other bravely protected her and the others, with his partner dying as he helplessly tried to save him too. Unbelievable courage!
Now, 5 years later, she has graduated from HS and College. She is 22 years old, beautiful and a joy to all that know her. Jessica talks of Joe often, and makes sure a wreath is at the Officer's Memorial at the Conway Court House each year in memory of Officer Joseph McGarry. Our family is eternally grateful for Joe. He is a part of our family now. Each year at the memorial service at the MBPD, she stands to pay her respects, along with so many others, he is loved and will never be forgotten. My own son has taken up the torch for Law Enforcement now, and I worry. However, like the McGarry's, I am so proud of him. Not everyone can be a police officer. It takes true courage, a heart of gold, and faith in God. So on this anniversary, I like to think of all the good done by Joe, the differences he made in lives, and the importance of the job he loved. Thank you Joe, and thanks to all the officers of MBPD and HCPD that do a job few can do. You are always in my prayers.

Beth Edwards
Conway SC

December 30, 2007

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 29, 2007

Rest In Peace Joe. You certinly are'nt forgotten. God Bless You For The Hero That You Are and For Touching So Many Lives

December 29, 2007

It's already been 5 years, but it feels like yesterday. You'll always be remembered.........

December 29, 2007

We pause today on the 5th anniversary of your death and say a prayer for your fellow officers and loved ones.
Rest in peace Sir you are not forgotten.
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

December 29, 2007

Well Joe,
Well another year has gone by and i still feel like it was yesterday. I guess I will never be the same. I still miss you and wish things had went differently. But even since that tragic night you still touch and inspire people. I may never be half the cop you are but I try everyday because of you. Continue to watch down on us and keep us safe. You live on in the lives of so many.
TTYL,
Steve

P/O Steve Cabral
Baltimore City Police

December 24, 2007

COME WALK A BEAT ON HEAVENS STREETS..YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL"

"IF ONE SHOULD FALL AMONGST LIFES THINGS..THE BADGE HE WEARS TURNS INTO WINGS"

GOD SPEED

December 14, 2007

Well its getting closer to the 5th anniversy of your death. What an impact you have had on my fiances life, he talks about you every single day and you are truly his hero. I wish i could have met you but you are in a better place.
Rest In Peace,Joe

November 19, 2007

"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 old 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.

Kimberly

November 8, 2007

Seeing your face brings back all of the memories at Salve. Looking at your smile brings back all of the quirky moves you had at Barry's and Froggs, smiling the entire time. My heart still aches for the life you lost. You really were the bad boy on campus with your mustang. I visit your grave often. Please keep smiling from above! We miss you, Joe.

Carole Funk
Friend

November 5, 2007

i remember like it was yesterday the news about Joe... my twin brother is a LT. in surfiside beach PD and he was the one that told me of the tragic events of that night... it really "hits home", when someone you knew and were friends with meets such an end as Joe did that night... we all that dare to wear a uniform do a job "most", dont want to do but yet we do it... proud men and women like Joe, inspire me and help me to put this uniform on every morning and face every day even when im feeling down, and so unappriciated... im a very skeptical person by nature of people and pretty much everything, but Joe the first time i met him i knew there was something different... Joe was a great man in my eyes and im sure in the eyes of everyone that knew him... rest in peace brother, me the gods keep you...

Cpl. EriK Miller

September 6, 2007

Joe,

Rest in peace my friend. I think of all the times on the BLVD when we pored the alcohol out from the underaged kids and kept saying what a waste of good expensive brew. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you in my prayers. Love you bro.. I still have your sub card from Manny's, you were two away from a free bee..

P/O Kevin S. Daley
New York City Police Department

August 18, 2007

You are in my thoughts and my prayers....Rest in Peace brother.

Deputy Ross Martin
Washington County Sheriff's Office

July 25, 2007

"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.

July 10, 2007

Still today we feel your sacrifice. I hear and see your name quite often. I am only a recent friend of your Dad's, but when I hear your name, it's not from your family, but from the many others in the RI community who hold your sacrifice in their hearts. God's speed, and blessings to your family and friends who wait to see you again ine day.

Hugh
Friend of your Dad

June 25, 2007

I have been where you fear to go...
I have seen what you fear to see...
I have done what you fear to do...
All these things I've done for you.

I am the one you lean upon...
The one you cast your scorn upon...
The one you bring your troubles to...
All these people I've been for you.

The one you ask to stand apart...
The one you feel should have no heart...
The one you call the man in blue...
But I am human just like you.

And through the years I've come to see...
That I'm not what you ask of me...
So take this badge and take this gun...
Will you take it? Will anyone?

And when you watch a person die...
And hear a battered baby cry...
Then so you think that you can be
All those things you ask of me...?

May 22, 2007

Joe, we will always miss you and love you. There isn't a day that goes by I don't think about you. You are the reason I stay on the job as I hope one day I can be half the cop you are and be someone you would be proud to work with. Gone but never forgotten, thanks for watching our backs....

Stugots
MBPD

May 20, 2007

WE REMEMBER THE OFFICERS

We remember the officers who changed our lives,
The men and woman who protected us day and night,
People who respect for their dedication to the cause,
For when faced with danger, they never even pause.
We remember the officers who always stood true,
Whatever the color of uniform, brown gray or blue,
With pride and integrity they say To serve and protect,
For the giving of their life, we offer our respect.
We remember the officers who we never really knew,
Persons strong enough to answer the challenge are few,
With heavy hearts we mourn the officers in eternal rest,
There's more to these people than the badge on their chest.

April 12, 2007

As I held him close, I began to cry
Wondering and hoping our friend would never die
I could see the whites of his eyes, as he held me tight
The wind whisked through his hair, as we saw the light

He cried no more as we fell to the ground
His one single tear, would never be found
Cry not my friend God will take you home
The Angels in Heaven will not be alone

YOURE SAFE NOW AND WE'LL ALL SEE YOU SOON

YOURE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

April 12, 2007

MY NAME IS KIMBERLY AND IM THE GIRLFRIEND OF ONE OF THE OFFICERS YOU USED TO KNOW AND WORK WITH. HE TALKS ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME AND HOW MUCH HE MISSES YOU AND I KNOW FOR A FACT HE LOOKED UP TO YOU!! MY BOYFRIEND GRADUATED THE BALTIMORE CITY POLICE ACADEMY ON DECEMBER 29TH,2006 AND I DO WORRY ABOUT HIM ALL THE TIME BUT I KNOW THAT HE WILL BE SAFE AND COME HOME TO ME EVERY NITE BECAUSE YOU AND GOD LOOK OVER HIM AND KEEP HIM SAFE!! YOU HAVE CERTINTLY HAD AN IMPACT ON MY BOYFRIENDS LIFE AND AND I KNOW THAT HE LEARNED ALOT FROM YOU. EVEN THOUGH I DIDNT KNOW YOU I ADMIRE AND RESPECT ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE!!
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!!

KIMBERLY BURNITE
POLICE OFFICERS GIRLFRIEND

April 12, 2007

The BEB and I talk about you all the time, especially that story about the perp with the blue nail polish and your name tag - it's a classic.

JNC
Former MBPD

March 27, 2007

Hi Joe

I just stopped by to see how things were going around here and say hello... keep watch over all your fellow siblings in blue!

luvavbcop

An Officer's Wife
VBPD

March 23, 2007

Joe,

Fours years gone, but NEVER forgotten. You are a hero and we are thankful for your time here. God Bless You! xoxo

January 5, 2007

Well Joe,
I don't know if this means anything but maybe you are telling me something. I graduate the academy on December 29. Please watch down on me and keep me safe, just like you did on the Blvd, when you gave me a hard time about some dumb stuff I was doing. I love you bro, one day I'll see you again.

P/O Steven Cabral
Baltimore Police , Friend

December 18, 2006

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

December 16, 2006