Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

hey u, i was just thinking about u. i really miss being able to talk to u, u always knew how to help and what to say. u were the greatest friend anyone could ask for. until we meet again, i know u will be watching over everyone from D9.

Anonymous

February 16, 2011

hey phil, just wanted to stop by and let u know i was thinking of u. i still can't believe so much time has gone by, i remember u like i just saw u yesterday. i will always remember u and everything u did for me our short time together while u worked D9. u are deeply missed and i will never forget u. til we meet again my friend.

Anonymous

November 29, 2010

It's thanksgiving today and I wanted to say thank u for sacrificing your life so that others are safe. I think of u often and like others have posted I do believe you are our class guardian angel. Til we meet again.......

Detective Machelle Quinones
Coral Springs Police Dept

November 25, 2010

Phil,
It has been a little over 7 years since we got that early morning tragic phone call. I could not believe it and I told the caller you've gotta be joking. Sadly it was all so true.

What a pleasure it was knowing you and being able to connect in only the way MK's know.

As I read all the heartfelt and kind words it makes me sad but I also want to remember those happy times that we had with you. The bbq's, the movies, bowling and so much more!

You are greatly missed! Not only were you a good friend but an amazing cook. I finally have that cheesecake recipe from the person who originally gave it to you. So your secret is safe!
I remember how you were able to visit us in the hospital after our first born arrived March 31 and then 5 days later we lost you. We keep your memory alive and I have shared your story with our now 4 kids!

Lastly it was great how you were able to share with us on our special day and stand as our bestman on our wedding day December 19,1998.

You are deeply missed and grieved but we look forward to the day when we see you again.

Ruth & Joel
Fellow MK & Friend

August 4, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 6, 2010

It's been 7 years.... You and your Family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget that night. Rest in Peace and God Bless....

Cpl
BSO

April 6, 2010

Just wanted to stop in and say that 7 years later we have not forgotten your sacrifice. Not a day goes by that we don't think about you or talk about you. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Billings family on this day.

Christina Costa
Wife of a BSO Deputy and Former BSO Dispatcher

April 5, 2010

Happy Easter Phil!

It has been almost 7 years since that fateful night. I recently went to the Police Hall of Fame in Titusville and saw your name on their wall along with the other heroes that have fallen before and since. You will not be forgotten!

Officer
Lighthouse Point PD

April 4, 2010

Thank you for your service, dedication and Sacrifice. You are truly a Hero and have not been forgotten.

Rest easy Deputy, your Family is being prayed for.

Deputy & Firefighter
Southwest FL/Former BSO Fire-Rescue

September 27, 2009

Rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

May 7, 2009

Thinking of your loved ones today and everyday. I know the daily struggles they face without you and the terrible pain within their hearts. God, wrap your loving arms around them and help them with their grief and let them feel your presence.
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Brenda Lucas
Mother of Chief Anthony D. Lucas, EOW 2-4-2005

April 6, 2009

Wow... I can't believe how fast time flies. In 2003 I was a 17 year old high school student working just a block from Coral Cadillac. When I was driving to work that morning I had no idea why I was being detoured. I was wondering why I saw so many deputies and why they all looked had such painful and sad looks on their face. When I got to work someone told me what happened. Although we never met, I took it so personally. It felt like someone took a family member from me.

I made up my mind to go to your funeral, I wanted to pay my respects to you. I thought that I could handle it. Driving down the road and seeing officers with that same said and painful look directing traffic for your service, I lost it. It brings tears to my eyes right now just thinking about it. I remember there were so many people in that massive church that they were standing up in the back. I remember the wonderful things people said about you at the service. I remember how they said you were determined to make a difference, not just make arrests. I am thankful for your service and bravery.

Today I am in my last day of the Law Enforcement Academy. I graduate very soon and I cannot help but think about how that day at your service I vowed to myself and God that I would be a Deputy and try to make the difference that you have made in the world. You made the ultimate sacrifice. People asked if what happened to you made me think twice about wanting to be a LEO. Without any hesitation, I told them that it has made me more determined than ever. Thank you for that.

B. Vick
WTI L.E. Academy Cadet

January 29, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Cadets of the Basic Recruit Class 333 of Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, Tallahassee, FL, thank you for your sacrifice.

Cadet Strzalkowski
Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy

May 23, 2008

It is truly a tradgity to loose a memeber of the "blue-line" family. It is strange to feel this sinking in my chest, when we loose a hero who gives and sacrifices there lives every day to protect those, who some will never know that they have been protected, by being kept alive by the officer that just made a traffice stop and pulled over the drunk driver that would have hit and killed there family had they of not. Some people take it for granted, and most are unappreciative of the services that Law Enforcement provides, and sacrifices everyday to make sure people they don't know and may never meet, give up everything for them. I AM TRULY thankful for your dedicated service to the force. See you in the heavens. Your fellow Officer, Danielle.

Officer Danielle Bahm
Bighorn County Montana

April 16, 2008

April 12, 2008-- 5:25 AM

I woke up today thinking about JJ Smeya and Phil Billings. All three of us blond, and blue eyed spanish speaking "gringos" MKs from Latin America.

It still baffles me that they're both gone.

Phil and I, along with my brother and Tim, were roomates while he was at Bethany in CA.

Today, I woke up with regret. Maybe it is selfish. I didn't go to either of their funerals.

Usually time and money steal greatest of intentions- but I didn't go. At the time, I was in CA doing our missionary itinerary, and adjusting to married life. Perhaps, under that answer lies another. Perhaps, my own sense of awkwardness at such great losses, and complete inadequacy of words for such moments- both cowardice and/ or pride, or maybe even immaturity, kept me from going. For that I am sorry. That I regret.

I am comforted in that, although they are gone, I believe in the reality that I will see them one day. They stand now in the witness cloud. As look into the computer screen this AM, this hope washes over me and settles me. Until then.

Henry "HB" Smith
MK friend

April 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 2008

Philip,
After reading all these reflections, I am moved by the way you lived your life and the impact you had on others. Although you will be missed up to the very
second of meeting you face to face, what a wonderful assurance we have that you are safe in Jesus' arms.
John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except thru Me." That is a promise we can stake our lives on and even though we are missing you here, we have hope. We know that you are no longer in pain, that you have been removed from this world entrapped in sin and that you are alive and well waiting to fellowship with those who also love and live for the Lord Jesus. I know you heard those words, "well done" and you have made those who knew you very proud to have known you. You have been gone 5 years, but we are one step closer to being reunited.

Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

April 6, 2008

To the Billings Family:

As the holidays approach this 2007, it still feels like yesterday that I had to say goodbye to my friend Philip. Like many who were fortunate enough to know him, I still to this day think of him often. Philip, although only 25 years old at the time, had wisdom and faith beyond his years. I believe his loving family played a major role in how Philip lived his life and how he touched the lives of others. I know he left a lasting impression with me. I still miss you, my friend, and I cannot express how much I wish you were still here on earth with us..I know that may sound somewhat selfish, because I do believe with all my heart that you are in heaven, watching over us all.

May God Bless and watch over your family this holiday season...XOXO

BS11426
Friend and Fellow BSO Deputy

December 18, 2007

Hey, Phil--

We have lost so many this year and each time it takes me right back to the night we lost you. I did speak to Rita briefly recently. She's married and pregnant! She seems very happy and I know that would make you happy! Kreg and I talk about you all the time, and I know we think of you every single day. I hope your family is doing all right...I wonder about them often. You are remembered.

Christina Costa
wife of BSO Deputy

November 10, 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., Columbia, SC

October 2, 2007

Philip--

Words cannot express how you are still missed. I was in DC and saw your name etched on the Police Officer's memorial. But we praise God that you are with him today and rest in the fact that God is faithful. Looking forward to seeing you again.

A fellow MK,

Heather

Heather Fairweather

August 10, 2007

Dear Philip,
Please know that you will forever be in the hearts of our family and your bravery will never be forgotten.
You are a true hero to our family and our employees.
May you rest in peace.

The Berian Family
Coral Cadillac Hummer

June 25, 2007

HEY PHIL. YOU ARE STILL MISSED SO MUCH! I SILL THINK OF YOU ALL OF THE TIME AND REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID FOR ME. YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME AND THAT MEANT SO MUCH. EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT HERE TO HELP ME NOW I KNOW THAT YOU'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON ME FROM HEAVEN AND YOU'RE GUIDING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. YOU KNOW YOU'RE THE BROTHER I NEVER HAD. I KNOW YOU WERE WATCHING OVER ME WHILE I WAS IN THE MARINES AND THAT'S WHY MY INJURIES WEREN'T AS BAD AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.

YOUR LIL SIS FROM D9

June 15, 2007

Phil--
Years have passed now...it's hard to believe. We've lost touch with Rita over time. She is such a sweet girl. We have two little ones now. I always pray that you are watching over their daddy to make sure he comes home to them each night. The night that you lost your life and your funeral are FOREVER etched in my mind. I'll never make sense of it. You are missed.

wife of a former D9 Deputy
Broward Sheriff's Office

June 13, 2007

Still missing you Philip.

Rest In Peace.

Academy Mate 208

April 18, 2007