Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

First of all I would like to express my deepest sypathy for the friends and family of Jay. I did not know Jay at all but can only imagine what a wonderful person he was. I saw the story on the news and immediately felt a great sense of loss. I am currently dating a police officer and we have a seven month old baby boy. On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, my life was changed forever. One of my best friends, Detective Randy "B-do" Smith with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office was killed in the line of duty. Being from such a small community, I never would have imagined anything like that happening. I was so lost and still have not come to grips with everything, but I have thought about Jay and David so much lately. I know that saying that I am sorry will not help it go away, but I can tell you that I know what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Cris
Evangeline Parish District Attorney's Office

We are truly saddened at your loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
The young ones now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) PD

I WAS JAY'S PLATOON LEADER WITH THE 239TH MILITARY POLICE CO. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON .AS A FELLOW OFFICER I KNOW WHAT DANGERS WE FACE EVERYDAY. I HOPE AND PRAY FOR ALL OFFICERS THAT OUR LOVE ONE WILL NEVER GET THAT CALL LATE AT NIGHT. I WILL MISS JAY ALOT AND PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY. GOD BLESS JAY, WE WILL MISS YOU !!!

DAVID BREAUX
GONZALES POLICE DEPT ,LA

DAVID BREAUX
GONZALES POLICE DEPT

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

POLICE OFFICER
NYPD

To the family, friends, and coworkers of Patrolmen Jeremy (Jay) Carruth you are in our thoughts and prayers and we are truely sorry for your loss.

Head Dispatcher
Bennett County Sheriff's Office

Jay,

It's been almost two months since you've been gone. I still wake up some mornings thinking that it was all a bad dream, but then reality hits and I realize that this is permanant. It's hard to believe that we spent 11 whole years of our lives together, and now you're not here anymore. Even through the roughest of times, I know that you loved me and cared for me. I also know that you knew my heart, my thoughts, and my soul, just as I knew yours. We knew each other better than anyone could ever imagine. I feel you so close sometimes that it takes my breath away. Margaux said she dreamt about you last night. She said she went to heaven, saw Jesus, and you played babies with her. I hope you hear her when she looks to the sky and says, "Hi, Daddy." Noelle misses you so much. She prays every night and asks Jesus to give you messages from her. I hope that you get them. I will never let our precious little girls forget you. They will always be part of you. I see you in their little faces when they grin, laugh, and cry. No one can ever take that away from them. Noelle and Margaux will always know that you were a wonderful Father and are a hero to so many people. I know that you are our guardian angel and will always be here in spirit. I know this because I feel you. Jay, I love you and I always will. I can't wait to see you again.

Love,
Kim

Kim

I am the sister of sunni Thomas and was going to be the jays sister-in-law.Jay meant a lot in my life he was my sisters life.
He would always tell her how much she meant to him.He now has inspired me to be in the ARMY and to be in the Alexandria police Department.Please pray for Jays family and his friends
love kaitlyn hammond
sister of Sunni Thomas (fiancee')

kaitlyn hammond

Jay,
you meant so much in my life and everyones life.I wish i could go back to your house watch movies and go places with you again.We always had the best times together.You always told me stuff and i that i will never tell anyone.You told me this summer you would take me fishing we never got a chance.I wish that i could turn back time.I love you so much Jay.
love GRAPES
sister of Sunni Thomas (fiancee')

Kaitlyn Hammond

Sunni,

I want to thank you for reaching out to me yesterday. It really meant a lot to know that in your time of grieving you recognized my pain. I've had a couple of particularly rough days (a couple of many to come I suspect). Talking to you made me feel a little better. It helps to know that others feel the same sense of pain and loss that I am. I only wish we could've met under different circumstances.

From your stories of Jay it sounded to me like he was a great man and as they say ... "behind every great man is a great woman". I'm certian that you two would've had a great future together. I believe Jay chose to spend the rest of his life with you for a reason. He saw something special in you. You should be proud of that fact. Someone recently left me these words of wisdom and I think it holds true for you and all other LEO wives.

"A law enforcement officer chooses his girl ..and his wife very carefully. They have to be tough..it is a tough world out there. He saw this.. it would appear in you. Tough in the sense of having a heart that holds it all...does not mean its easy. It does not mean you are different from any other person..only means you were his right hand...and your heart is strong enough to reach out to comfort...I notice that you have done this in here. You were the heart of a man that has the hardest job in the world...believe me I know this. In this gentle tough heart ....he still is...love does not die."

I've been given all sorts of advice since Dennis passed. But I think the best advice I've gotten is to remember all the good times you and your fiance had. One day you will meet up with Jay again and he'll welcome you with open arms and a big smile and you'll be able to spend eternity together. Until then, use all the love he gave you as strength to move on with your life. Jay can no longer live his life, but you can. Live your life in his honour/memory.

I wish you all the best in life. Please pass on my condolences to Jay's family, friends, and fellow Law Enforcement Officers. Take care of yourself and keep in touch.

Jocelyne Brar
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W. (01/03/03)

Jay,
I had my doubts about you at first dating my sister. But you turned out to be the one of the most influential people in her life. You showed me the light that I needed to fulfill my dream in Law Enforcement. You showed me that nothing can get in my way if I truly believe in it. We were all worried about my sister at the beginning coming out of a divorce and being a single mother. Not just that, I all havent seen a true smile from her since we played together in our school years. But when she was with you I seen her smile like she was 8 years old all over again. She was happy. Happy like she's never been before. Thats just how you influenced her and my life. I know you were a candle in many more lives and you will be in years too come.

I love and miss you Jay!
PS:(Were tearin those white perch up bubba!)

Sunni Thomas' (fiancee) brother
Trey Hammond

Trey Hammond
Rapides Parish Sheriffs Department

I was recently engaged to Jay as of Valentine's Day of this year. Because of Jay's intrest in hunting and fishing my Valentine's Day gift was a fishing trip to Woodson's Landing to get to test out his new motor on his boat. We stayed fishing for about 4 hours not catching anything because the wind was blowing to hard. This fishing trip was different from our other ones because we talked about things that we had never discussed before. We talked about dying and how pretty we imagined Heaven to be - not knowing that he would see it in the next 6 days. Jay loved his job and said while we was cooking the Monday before that when it was his time to go that he wanted to go out in a bang, dying doing something he loved, and he did. So I would like to say to everyone you never now when your time will expire so live each day to the fullest, never take life for granted and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

And to Jay---you are my best friend and my soulmate and I know that your watching over all of us as our angel. Can't wait to see how your wings look with your beautiful smile.

Sunni Thomas Jay's fiancee

You will be in my prayers. You will be missed,my brother in blue.

POII Cody Fruge'
Lafayette Police Dept. ACTION unit (Louisiana)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jay and the Carruth family. He made the ultimate sacarfice. You are respected and appreciated among your peers. We are all a family, we are here if anything is needed.

Rapides Training Center
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department

I am writing to say thank you to all the people who have left reflections here. Its nice to know that all theses people care enough to take time out of their lives to leave a note. Thank you. The Carruth Family

C. Carruth, sister

I was married to Jay for 8 years. We divorced last year. We have 2 little girls, Noelle-7 and Margaux-2. Jay was a great father and friend. He would have never wanted to leave his girls behind, but he wouldn't have wanted to go any other way. He absolutely loved his job and would have no other. I am so proud of his accomplishments and bravery. Noelle misses him terribly. She reflects daily on the things she and her Daddy used to do while spending time together. She thinks about the fact that when she gets older, she won't have a Daddy, and other girls will. Although Noelle is only 7, she is very intuitive, sensitive, and full of so much love. I struggle every day trying to make sense out of what happened and wondering how I'm going to explain all of this to my girls as they get older. Why would Jay be taken, leaving behind the two most precious little people in his life? I am comforted knowing that Jay is in a much better place than we are. Please pray for us in the days, weeks, and months to come. Thank you.

Kim Townley;married to Jay for 8 yrs

For your dedication and sacfrific to the city of Alexandria and to the United States, you will be sadly missed.
You have made the ultimate sacrifice, and for that may god reward you and your family for this act of bravery.
Our prayers are with you, your family, your friends, the Alexandria Police Department.
God Bless

Cpl. William White
Lafayette City Police (Louisiana)

You will not be forgotten brother - "Una Stamus"

E. Bruss- Police Officer
US Dept. Veterans Affairs Police

Our thoughts and prayers are with you always..

SSgt. J Amburn & K-9 Ruggy
USAF

Rest in peace my brother you will not be forgotten. Your courage and honor will be remembered forever.

Carl Wortham
Son of Glenn T. Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK

To the family, friends, and Department
of Patrolman Jeremy Carruth

Our department lost one of its own a few weeks ago and though I never met you, your loss is great in my heart. You gave the ultimate sacrifice to perform your job and serve the people. May your family find peace in knowing that Heaven has gained an angel and that you are an inspiration to us all. I salute you my brother in blue and your memory will live on forever. "What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

New Tazewell Police Department

To the family, friends, and Department
of Patrolman Jeremy Carruth

Our department lost one of its own a few weeks ago and though I never met you, your loss is great in my heart. You gave the ultimate sacrifice to perform your job and serve the people. May your family find peace in knowing that Heaven has gained an angel and that you are an inspiration to us all. I salute you my brother in blue and your memory will live on forever. "What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

New Tazewell Police Department

My family's prayers are with you all.

Detective Kelly Flowers
Rome, Georgia Police Dept.

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER
YOU WHERE WAY TOO YOUNG TO PAY THE PRICE

UCNO RAD OREGON

Anonymous

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER
IF IT WHERE NOT FOR BROTHERS LIKE YOU WE WOULD ALL PAY THE PRICE.

UCNO RAD OREGON

Anonymous

I was so saddened to hear that 2 such brave and fine young men died so senslessly. We too lost an officer on that sad day, LT Glenn Hicks. His partner LT Ralph Coffey lost an eye in the ambush. We share your grief and sense of loss.

These young soldiers of the homefront now walk a beat with St. Michael in Heaven. God Blsess their friends, colleagues and families. Be safe. We are all family.

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools Law Enforcement, Avery Dist.