Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 Patrick 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 Hardesty's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Patrick 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 Patrick 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 (Drakesville, IA)
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W (01/03/03)

Godspeed my brother...

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, WI

Another hero has had his life taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Hardesty. 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

On behalf of all the men and women of the Green Valley Fire District we wish to send our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Tucson Police Department Officer Patrick K. Hardesty. We ask God to Bless you and comfort you during this tragic, senseless loss. You are in our Prayers.

Green Valley Fire District
Green Valley, Arizona

Captain Ken Shultz
Green Valley Fire District

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers who with Officer Hardesty. Rest in peace my friend, for those of us who remain will take up your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

Ofc. Hardesty, Brother, Father, Son, Husband,

You were all of these things as so many of us are. Imagine my shock at the start of my shift to hear that a brother had fallen so close to home. The realization that once again I had to find my black band and drape it around my badge. It is a solemn time for the Tucson area law enforcement agencies. But, rest assured that your sacrifice will only strengthen our resolve to continue to "fight the good fight". Rest now brother we're 10-8 and have the shift from here.

To the Hardesty family,

Let time heal. Many of us have come by your home at all hours, day or night if only to say a silent prayer and pay our respects. We will continue to watch over you for a long time to come and ensure that our brother's family is taken care of. I'm sure you realize, by the community reaching out to you, that he did not die in vain and that he touched more lives in his time on earth than perhaps we could fully comprehend. Your family should be proud.

Deputy J. Murphy
Pima County Sheriff's Department

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

Semper Fi, Marine. Carry on.

Anonymous

"Thanks" officer Hardesty for giving your life for the cause of "Good". Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hardesty Family.

father of an Officer
Louisville Metro Police (Ky)

MAY GOD BLESS THIS HERO. GOD BLESS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER IN BLUE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

There is no greater sacrifice than laying down your life protecting others....God's Speed Officer Hardesty, you are a hero.

Det. Brent Curtis
Des Moines Police Dept., Des Moines, Iowa

Rest in peace and God bless. Let us still keeping the beat remember through this tragic loss that "no call is routine". We will carry on and protect the weak and defensless in your name brother. You are a hero and will be remembered as such by all.

Ptlm
CPD, NY

Patrick, your death was a senseless tragedy. We at the Pima County Jail send our condolences to your family as we deal with housing the suspect in your death. The whole law enforcement community in Pima County is hurting but we will continue to protect and serve the people. You will not be forgotten. Though I work for the Sheriff's Office, I had one lady call and give her sympathy to us in our loss. We are ONE family. Godspeed and watch out for us from above.

Public Safety Support Specialist Casey J
Pima County Sheriff's Dept. AZ

Rest in peace brother. God bless your family and co-workers.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police 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 Patrick K. Hardesty and the Tucson 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, 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.
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 our other fallen Brothers and Sisters. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Florida Deputy Sheriff

Ofc. Hardesty was a friend, a co-worker and a great guy. I'd known him since he started working full time at the Tucson Police Dept. He was always there to lend the helping hand and share a joke to lighten the day. His family and friends, Tucson and the rest of the world have lost someone who was truly a kind-hearted and good man, not to mention a great Officer. He will be missed by everyone. Take Care Patrick.

Officer De La Ossa
University of Arizona Police Dept

To the family of Officer Hardesty and co-workers:

"REMEMBERING"

Go ahead and mention my husband/father
The one that died you know,
Don't worry about hurting me further,
The depth of my pain doesn't show,
Don't worry about making me cry,
I"m already crying inside,
Help me to heal by releasing
The tears in that I try to hide,
I"m hurt when you just keep silent,
Pretending he didn't exist.
I"d rather you mention my husband/father,
Knowing he has been missed,
You asked me how I was doing,
I say "pretty good" or "fine".
But healing is something ongoing,
I feel it will take a lifetime.

Author Unknown

Deputy Sheriff Donald Kenneth Bond, Jr.
EOW: 9/6/01

Another hero gone. Rest in peace brother.
We will continue the fight!

CPD, NY

The family and friends of Officer Hardesty are in our hearts and prayers. He has paid the ultimate sacrafice for all of us. We will never forget his service to us. God Bless him on his journey, we wil all be together with him again someday.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

The men and women of the Midland Police Department express our sincere condolences to the family of Officer Patrick K. Hardesty and the Tucson Police Department. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Anonymous

Brother, may God bless you and your family during this most difficult time. Rest assured that He is with you all.

Special Agent
FBI New York

My thoughts and Prayers are with Ofc. Hardesty's family during this great time off loss. We will continue to do the job that he loved and remember him always.

POI H.D.McMullen
Thomasville PD

May the good Lord keep him in his kingdom and may he also bless his entire family in this time of pain.

SPA Chuy Rodriguez
U.S. Border Patrol

REST IN PEACE OFFICER HARDESTY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND AGENCY DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT. THAT HAS CLAIMED ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S BLUE SOLDIERS. MAY YOU CONTINUE YOUR WATCH FROM THE STREETS OF HEAVEN AND WATCH OVER THOSE FIGHTING THE CRIME HERE ON EARTH.

GOD BLESS AND REST IN PEACE.

ASTON, PENNSYLVANIA

TONYA STEPHENSON
PRIVATE CITIZEN

Although I did not personally know you, I have heard some of your fellow Officer's describe a true hero. One that all Officer's should strive to be. My prayers go out to your friends and family and you will never be forgotten. God bless you for your sacrifice.

Ofc. Chris Lee
Marana Police Department (AZ)