Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for the ultimate sacerfice you have made for the people of your community Officer Collins.

My deepest sympathy to your family, friends, and your department.

God Speed.

Jeff Connell Community Volunteer
Atwater Police Dept.

you have done your time my brother in blue.god bless. we shall not remember how you passed, but how you lived.....A HERO!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

You are a true warrior!........

Anonymous

Rest in peace brother.......May the ruthless criminals responsible for this murder be brought to justice and sentenced to the most severe penalty. Your service to you community is appreciated by all of us. May God bless you and the survivors of your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

I to am about to graduate from the police academy and embark on my career. To hear of Officer Collins death so early in his career is very sobering to me and the rest of my class. Gods Speed Brother "Nemo Impune Lacessit"

Cadet Robert L. Powers
Alvin Community College Law Enforcement Academy

Deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Melvin Collins.

Anonymous

Only one day on the job and he made the ultimate sacrifice....what a tragedy to lose such a fine young officer so soon. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his brothers and sisters on the Brunsick PD.

Police Officer
North Dakota

A dedicated career that never got started. God bless you and your family. May God give them peace in dealing with this terrible tragedy.

Captain Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department, NC

Godspeed my brother. The time on your beat on earth was short. Now you'll be watching over us from your new beat above. May God comfort your family and friends during this time. Godbless

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office

"The wicked flee when no man purseth".

Rest in peace, brother.

Det. Steve Borst
Wells, Maine P.D.

Another hero in GA [for the 3rd time this month] has had his life taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Collins. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

How very sad, a young officer was struck down as he stood in the starting gate of this honorable profession. His personal sacrifice and act of bravery is indicative of what unselfishness truly means.

We all feel a sense of loss because we are all family of the badge, even though we may wear different uniforms and work for different agencies.

I pray for this officer's family, friends and colleagues. He now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael.

God bless and be safe.

Chief JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. SP

My prayers and condolences go out to the Department, the friends and family of Officer Melvin Collins. This is such a tragic loss.
Mike Bradford, Ret. LEO

Mike Bradford, Invest. Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

Brother you never got the chance to do all the great things officers accomplish in a career; however you have paid the ultimate sacrifice, you will never be forgotten

take it easy up there

Officer Curtis Penney
Chattanoog Police Departmnet

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Melvin be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Collins' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out especially to his wife. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Please know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Melvin is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Melvin was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

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

What a tragedy. The perfect example of what a hero really is. God bless Officer Collins family and friends.

LEO Wife
Nj

My heart and prayers go out to this fine officer's wife, children, family, friends and coworkers. May God be with you all in this time of loss. Officer Collins rest in peace and let me tell you a job well done.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Azure, EOW 08/06/02

In one day you showed the world the work of a Hero.
You will be missed and you will never be forgotten.
Rest easy my brother, rest in peace.

Cleveland Plice, Retired Ohio

I didn't know Officer Collins, but I know his mind-set and dedication to protecting and serving others. God, bless his soul and strengthen his friends and family. Thank you, Officer Collins, for your love of others and your sacrifice. "Greater love hath no man . . . . . "

Anonymous

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.

Det Sgt C. L. Israel
East Point Police Department, Ga

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

To the family and friends of Officer Collins:

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, especially the loss to his wife and 2 children. I hope that you can comfort each other through these difficult times and keep the memory of this hero alive! God bless you all!

Anonymous
Mountain View, CO

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 Melvin Collins and the Brunswick Police Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieve with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you during this most difficult time.

To all my brothers and sisters, may God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. Rest in peace with the other fallen Heroes. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Florida Deputy Sheriff

Rest in Peace Officer Collins My prayers are with your family, friends, and agency during this tragic event. May you continue your watch from heaven's streets. You will not be FORGOTTEN but honored for your time here.

GOD BLESS.

Aston, Pennsylvania

Tonya Stephenson
Private Citizen

ALTHOUGH YOU SERVED ONE DAY, YOU STILL PROTECTED THE CITY FROM EVIL, REST IN PEACE 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)

Deputy Wilder
Kenton County, KY