Friona Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Monday, April 14, 2003
Reflections for Sergeant Jose Arturo "Joe" Herrera
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of PO Jose Arturo Herrera.
Anonymous
Rest in peace blue angel. Thank you for a job well done.
S. Yates
My sympathies to Officer Herrera's family, friends, and co-workers. Although I did not know Officer Herrera, it is clear that he went above and beyond the call of duty. May he rest in peace and protect all of us that continue to protect and serve.
Friend and partner of Deputy Michael Shannon EOW 03-07-03
Sergeant Tammy Kroetz
Adams County Sheriff's Dept, Friendship, WI
Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Herrera for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.
For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.
IF I KNEW
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
Anonymous
God bless and RIP brother. You will not be forgotten, nor will your sacrifice.
Ptlm
CPD, NY
To go and assist other Officers while you were leaving to go home is what a true cop is. It takes a special person to do this job and you are that special person. We all wish we could have been there and done something to prevent this horrible incident. May your family and fellow officers have peace knowing that you gave your life doing what you loved. Rest in peace brother.
Police Officer
Denver Police Department
To Officer Herrera family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.
Dios lo Bendiga
Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86
REST IN PEACE OFFICER HERRERA MAY YOUR TIME HERE BE REMEMBERED FOR THE POLICE OFFICER YOUR ARE AND FOR THE DEDICATION THAT YOU SHOWED IN YOUR COMMUNITY MY CONDOLENCE'S ARE WITH YOUR AGENCY AND WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME HERE AS A POLICE OFFICER THANK YOU.
ASTON, DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
TONYA STEPHENSON
PRIVATE CITIZEN
My wife & I's hearts & prayers go out to your family.We pray that God hold you in his hand as you embark on your new line of duty.We honor your sacrifice & will carry forth your mission of service.We will miss you here,until we meet again.
Field Officer Brendon Banner
Bovina Police Dept
Here, I stand again, as the casket of a fallen brother draped with the American flag makes its way past the tear filled eye's of the officer(s) & families left to deal with the pain of
life without a father, husband, friend, & brother.
I watch as a sea of car's, lights rotating/flashing in a show of unity for a friend who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I watch as civilians stand to the side of the road, praying & paying
respect as the procession passes.
I listen as officer(s) fire their weapons in a 21 gun salute, and watch as the family, and other officers jump, as this reminds them of the last sound heard by our fallen brothers.
At last, as tears stream down the faces of the mourners at the grave, we watch as the officer
is laid to rest and say our final farewells to these our brother.
I reflect, and remember:
All gave some
And some gave all
Some stood through
For the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties
And recall
Some gave all. (unknown writer)
To all my brothers/sisters, may god be with you each and every day, and remember, we are a part
of the largest family in the world, and when one hurts we all hurt.
To Officer Herrera, though I knew you not, you will never be forgotten, because you were my brother!
Deputy Joe Wilder
Kenton County Dept of Corrections
On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State University Police Department, our thoughts and prayers to the Clark family and the Houston Police Department.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13
"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."
Hebrews 6:10
Virginia State University Police Department
To the family and friends of Officer Jose Herrera we send our deepest condolences at the loss of their friend and loved one. The fact the Joe was off-duty and still felt compelled to help his fellow officers shows the kind of dedication that he had. "Greater Love Hath No Man..."
Sgt H.L. Hawbaker
Hidalgo County (TX) Sheriff's Department
There are but two persons who protect the sinful human race from destroying itself. One is God's Holy Spirit. The other is the Peace Officer. Without them, we would all perish at each other's hands.
According to Romans 13.1-5...
God ordains the Peace Officer’s profession.
The Peace Officer is sent by God.
The Peace Officer is vested with God's authority to enforce the law.
A Peace Officer's badge is to be honored by us, because it is honored by God.
To the family of Officer Jose Arturo Herrera and the Friona Police Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieve with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his gentle and loving arms around each of you during this most difficult time.
Though our badges are different, our mission is the same. Rest in peace with the other fallen Heroes, my brother. We will continue the fight in your honor.
Florida Deputy Sheriff
Rest easy warrior. You will not be forgotten and we will continue for you.
Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)
And He will raise you up on eagles wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
Anonymous
On behalf of the men and women who serve the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department. Our hearts and prayers go out to Officer A. Herrera's family, friends, and co-workers of the Friona Police Department. May Officer A. Herrera rest in peace.
God Bless
Officer D. Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premisesof all its undesirables, look with kindly and professionaleyes on your earthly force.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.
Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.
You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.
And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.
Sgt Israel
East Point Police Department, Ga
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