Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Collins,

I mourn your loss; the loss of your life, the loss to your community, the loss to your comrades, and certainly the loss to your family. I am glad for you that you had the opportunity to know St. Michael in this cruel world. I am certain that you are now getting to know him in Heaven.

Citizens sometimes seem to feel that we have made a decision to be a cop or not. They simply don't realize the truth of the matter. We are officers or deputies or agents because it is a calling, not completely un-like your other calling to God.

This is why your one day tour of service is as significant as one whole lifetime's tour. You felt the calling and you answered. The academy, certification, and oath only serve to inform the public. You knew your heart and the need to serve before ever knowing the term P.O.S.T.

Only a man's good character and relationship with God give him the courage to display the acts which you demonstrated for us. Your sacrifice is as significant as any other officer's sacrifice. When I visit the memorial again, I will be sure to touch your name and whisper a prayer.

You felt the calling and responded, and for that I appreciate your sacrifice. I feel that God too appreciates your sacrifice. Had you ever considered that from the earliest tingle of faith years ago that this one event, this one robbery, the defense of this one victim, would be God's plan for you. Your mission for God is accomplished here. Others of us are still working on ours. "One more trip around the mountain," my pastor once said. Thank you for fighting the Good Fight.

God bless your eternal soul.

Deputy Chris Harper, 129
Putnam County SO, Georgia

Mel.

Today, I looked at the pictures again that I took of your Homegoing Celebration because I dont want to ever forget your supreme sacrifice that you made on behalf of your commuity. Jesus said that "No greater love hath any man than one who would lay down his own life for his friend". You laid down your life for strangers that you did not even know. I know that there is a special place in Heaven for you.

I also want you to know that you laid down your life on the same day that my Father died a year ago. April 13 is a day that I will never forget. Moreover, I will never forget knowing you. I am sitting here trying to remember the nickname that you gave me.......

Peace Everlasting

Tony

Ofc. T. Edwards
Chatham County P.D.

I will be strong and courageous,
I will not be terrified,or discouraged;
for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.

Joshua 1:9

You never gave up. You fought untill the end. You are a true hero. May God bless your soul. For you have blessed all of us.
THANK YOU

Dispatcher S. McGregor
Glynn-Brunswick 911

This has been a hard situation for me to deal with. I worked closely with Brunswick PD officers so he was one of my own. I wish I had to opportunity to have met you, but I know you were a God-fearing man with a heart of gold. Your tour was short but never to be forgotten. I pray God's blessing upon your family. Rest in peace.

911 Oper Y Hardy
Glynn-Brunswick 911 Dispatch Center

Melvin,
Well, we honored you and the other four officers from the department that lost their lives. Felicia was there today. I still get upset when I see her. She misses you! The others are finally coming to the road this week. Sure wish you were here to come down and be with us. But you will always be with us. We put stickers on all the cars with your name, badge number, and you end of watch date. We are now selling the stickers and giving money to Felicia and the girls. This is just one way that we can help your family during this time. I bought three and put them on my p.o.v.s to show the world that I lost a fellow officer. Well, hold all of us a place next to you on Heaven's beat. We Miss You!
" You are our Guardian Angel, Melvin"

Ofc. Michael Davis
Brunswick Police Dept.

Rest in peace my brother—You will not be forgotten. You have done your duty.

As I visit the Law Enforcement Memorial every May 15th, I will say a prayer for you, your family, and all those that have been affected by your passing.

See you some day brother.

CPL Jodie L. Warren
Prince George County Police Department, Virginia

After attending the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, located in Brunswick GA several times this tragady seems to have hit so close to home. May you rest in peace brother.

GOD SPEED

CEO Canzano k9 UNIT
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE

God speed to family and friends, go and protect the heavens.............."Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the called the children of God"........Matthew 5:9

Patrolman
Bexar County S.O.

Dear God...Where do we get such men, What Loving God hath provide...That each generation afresh...New giants shall arise in the land...For if we were to go but, a single generation without such men we would be both dammed and doomed.

Unknown author

One day....or One thousand....Valor, Honor, to you Dear Brother...you kept the faith...I salute you!!!

Deputy Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder County Sheriffs Office

My heart goes out to Officer Collins' family and co-workers. This profession we've chosen is not just a job - it's a calling. Officer Collins was called into this profession, he was called upon that day to intervene and stop what I'm sure he felt was the possible killing of an innocent person, and now he has been called upon by a higher authority to watch over the rest of us who are still fighting against the criminals within our society. God bless him and his family.

Ptlm. Michael T. Rayburn
Saratoga Springs (NY) Police Dept.

Your loss is felt by each and every one of us.
Be strong and faithful for Officer Collin's is now one of God's Angels of Blue

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Pct 2

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and coworkers of Officer Collins.

While many of us in law enforcment wear different colored uniforms, we all share a common goal. We protect society from the criminal element. Rest well my friend, those of us who remain will cover your place on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

Thank you so much for your service and willingness to protect others. You could have looked the other way or drop to the floor, but my friend you are a true warrior. God bless you and your family.

Deputy US Marshal
US Marshals Service

Officer Collins,
Though your tour of duty may have been short, you will not be forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer John A. Foster
Panama City Beach Police Department

Your tour of duty was short, however your sacrafice will not be forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.

Ofc. M. Wilhelm
Georgetown University Police

my heart goes out to your family , you were a very brave man and a bother of blue. god bless you and your family , you will be thought of !

Anonymous

I go to FLETC in Brunswick, GA. once a year to help with their undercover program for their ATF agents and I have run into many of the Brunswick Police officers. It's obvious that they have been trained in how to handle the out of town officers who are often at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy. I wish that I had met Officer Collins before his untimely departure from this world. From reading everybody's reflections, I obviously missed out on meeting a truly good man. My thoughts and prayers are with his co-workers, family and friends.

Deputy Faith Hill
Shelby County Sheriff's Office

One can only imagine what this brave young man's career might have been like. So young and too soon. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

My heart goes out to the family/friends and fellow academy members of Officer Collins agency. I am 3 weeks from graduating from my agencies academy and this has once more burned into my mind the fact that we must be willing to give even as much as our own lives at any time in order to "Protect and Serve." I will be sure to share this saddening story with the rest of my recruit class that we may grow stronger from it and daily show the boldness that Officer Collins has showed. God speed.......
Recruit McAlister

Recruit McAlister
Knoxville Police Department

Officer Melvin Collins is a true hero and all our hearts go out to his family, friends, and co-workers. The Law Enforcement community has suffered a great loss with the passing of this fine officer.

Sgt. Teresa M. Quinn
Mount Olive Police Department

You will be sorly missed by your fellow brothers in law enforcement. God Bless

Ryan Crowder
St. Petersburg, Florida Police Academy

Mel,
It was only a week ago that we were eating lunch together at the academy. You seemed so excited that you were about to get out on the road. I could tell that you were going to be a good cop. It was easy to see this when we were working together doing security. You could always keep your cool better than I could. I hope that you will keep a close watch on my mansion up there until I come home. I am going to think of you when I am working the Seafood Festival... as well as this Christmas when you are still walking beside me keeping me walking straight and looking sharp. Take care brother - your shift is done.

I would like to personnaly thank all of the friends and citizens that showed us their support during this rough and bumpy road. God Bless America.

Firefighter Andrew K. Altman
Brunswick - Glynn County EMA SAR

I had the pleasure of meeting Officer Collins, Mel, as he told me to call him, just two days before his unfortunate death. He was at FLETC getting in-service training on NEVO and Evasive driving. He had a smile and positive up lifting attitude about him that I'm sure will be missed, but I hope that his family and friends will remember that he was a police officer who gave his life doing what POLICE OFFICERS do, PROTECTING the life of a Civilian. Rest in Peace and GOD BLESS ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY PERSON.

SR Instructor C. A. Sanders
FLETC / DMD

"If one should fall amongst lifes things, the badge he wears turns into wings"! _GOD BLESS YOU AND REST IN PEACE BROTHER IN BLUE.

Officer Terri Lemus
La Joya ISD Police, La Joya TX

My heart and prayers to out to the Family of Officer Collins. The Law Enforcement Family has been dealt another terrible blow. Thank you Officer Collins for your "Good fight" against evil.

Anonymous
Louisville Metro Police (Ky)