Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ryan,

Your strength and bravery live on. Your in my thoughts. It feels like yesterday we were in school together. Thank you for your calm approach of life and teaching me to care and respect others.
Chris

SFC Stanzione
US Army

September 10, 2005

Dear Ryan,

We miss you every day and not a day goes by that we don't think of you. We know you are watching over us, you leave us "Signs" every so often. Keep on reminding us you are close!! We know you are in the safe arms of God but it doesn't ease our aching hearts. We miss your beautiful smile and laugh most of all. Our family could not have gotten thru this without our loving friends and family. We are also so grateful to the Chesterfield Police Department. They have gone so far beyond their call of duty. Thank you so much Dave and Larry. Without you both, we would not have gotten thru this. We love you guys and pray for the whole Department everyday. God Bless!

Rick and Robin Cappelletty
Mom and Dad

Rick & Robin Cappelletty
Mom & Dad

June 1, 2005

Always on our minds. Gone but never forgotten....

Police Officer Vicki Cangelosi
Richmond PD

May 29, 2005

Wow! Two years in heaven, Ry! I wonder how you are celebrating! We're coming one of these days...and we're expecting that big bear hug!

Two years ago today our family changed forever. Today we reflect on all that has occurred since Ryan died. The people our family has met, the loving responses from family, friends, even strangers have touched us deeply.

There is another grieving family today of the young man who killed Ryan and died that day too. Their grief is felt deeply as well. There is enough grief to go around but there is also hope because we must hope and pray and continue life to honor Ryan.

We have learned to appreciate our police departments. We thank them often, pray for them and try to honor them when we can. Those who try to criticize our peace officers in my presence do NOT have a sympathetic ear.

We have learned to love our family more than we ever thought possible and celebrate every success and milestone. Our advice is: "If you got 'em, love 'em!"

"There is no greater gift than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Aunt Ellen
Ryan's Family

May 28, 2005

God bless you brother. Thank you for your service to Chesterfield County and our nation. You are missed everyday. May God continue to bless your family and friends.

Patrol Officer
Chesterfield County Police Depatment

May 28, 2005

This is my first reflection - not to be my last. As we quickly approach the two year anniversary of the tragic death of dear Ryan, I wanted to send a special prayer to the Cappelletty family. You are not forgotten. I admire your strength and bravery through this difficult world. May God Bless all of you. Ryan was a great person, always very giving and compassionate. Every now and then I see someone who looks like Ryan and I just have to look twice. But I know he is with the Lord and in a happy, peaceful place. Watch over us Ryan, and I look forward to the day I see you again.

Raychel Vendetti
Friend

May 27, 2005

RYAN IT WILL SOON BE 2 YEARS THAT GOD TOOK YOU HOME BLESS YOUR FAMILY I AM SURE THEY MISS YOU AS MUCH AS THEN YOU DID YOUR BEST GOD BLESS MOTHER OF DOUGLAS WENDEL EOW 73003

MARILYN WENDEL
MOTHER OF PTL DOUGLAS WENDEL EOW JULY 30 03

May 25, 2005

Its coming up on two years Ryan, and your still missed very much by each and every one of us.You continue to impact the lifes of those who knew you in a positive way. We miss you very much nephew. But we also know that you are with God. He blessed us with your presence for a short time and we are so greatful for that. You are never far from our hearts and minds, Rest Well Ryan
your Uncle Bill

Bill Burkholder
Ryans Uncle

May 12, 2005

DEAR RYAN GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS EASTER IN HEAVEN. WATCH OVER YOUR FAMILY AND KNOW THAT YOU TRIED TO MAKE THIS A BETTER WORLD. BY THE WAY SAY HI TO MY SON DOUGLAS. GOD BLESS MARILYN WENDEL MOTHER... ALSO LOOK UP MY HUSBAND FRED WHO ARRIVED UP WITH YOU FELLOWERS DEC. 21.04

marilyn wendel
FRIEND

March 27, 2005

To the Cappelletty family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Ryan was a compassionate, caring and brave man. He will not be forgotten. God Bless

Amy M
Meadville, PA

March 14, 2005

TO OFFICER RYAN CAPPELLETTYS AUNT
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS OF MY SON DOUGLAS HE IS SO MISSED. NOW MY HUSBAND IS UP THERE WITH HIM HE PASSED ON DEC 21 04 YOUR NEPHEW AND MY SON SACRIFICED TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING MRS CAPPELLETTY....MARILYN WENDEL

MOTHER OF OFFICER DOUGLAS WENDEL

February 13, 2005

Ryan, I too wish to honor you. Thank you for walking the path of the warrior, protecting all of us. Rest easy brother, we'll cover your post on our thin blue line.

With brotherly love and utmost respect,

Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.) ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

October 29, 2004

Officer Ryan your life and sacrifice is an inspiration to everyone. The children at Greenville UMC learned about you through your Aunt Ellen's story about your Police work and the legacy you left. God bless you and I pray He comforts your wife Rachel.

Lay Speaker, Ted Griffin
Greenville UMC, New York

August 25, 2004

I left Chesterfield before you were there so I never got the chance to meet you. My prayers go out to you and your family. God bless you,

TSgt Hudson Warren D USAF/Former CHPD U-
United States Air Force

June 18, 2004

It's hard to believe it has been a year. You are in my thoughts each night before I go to work. God Bless....

Police Officer Vicki Cangelosi
Richmond Police Dept.

June 8, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, May 28, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Ryan E. Cappelletty who died in the line of duty on this date one year ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Cappelletty’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

May 28, 2004

Ryan,
It has been a year since you left us, the hardest year of my life. I thought the hardest part was losing you; little did I know it was learning to live without you. I think of you constantly, every moment of every day. I miss hearing your voice, holding your hand, and the warm safe embrace of your arms. Most of all I miss my best friend. You were the greatest thing to every happen to me. You were my role model, my cheering sections, and the love of my life. All it took was one little kiss for me to know that I had found my soul mate. I hope that you continue to know how much I love you. We all miss you so much. I LOVE YOU.
Love, Rachel

There is no greater gift than this, to lay down ones life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Rachel Cappelletty
Wife of Officer Ryan E. Cappelletty E.O.W. 5-28-03

May 28, 2004

I saw a very nice reflection from your uncle to Lt. Vickie Wax who was killed in the line duty 05-22-2004. I have seen far to many of our sisters and brothers in law enforcement lose their lives in the 28 years I have had the honor to wear the badge. Nothing I can say will easy the loss, but time heals all wounds. The deepest wounds are the ones that never bleed. In times like this I turn to a beautiful song written during a time of great loss for our country, and think of two of the forgotten veruses:

I have read a fiery gospel
Writ in burnished rows of steel;
"As ye deal with my condemners,
So with you my grace shall deal."
Let the hero born of woman
Crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on!

He is coming liek the glory
Of the morning on the wave;
He is wisdom to the mighty,
He is honor to the brave;
So the world shal be His footstool,
And the soul of wrong His slave.
Our God is marching on.

Rest in peace my brother, until the last day when we all will be reunited in the Glory of the Lord. We have the watch and will carry on.

Lt. Stephen Jackson
Baton Rouge Police Department

May 28, 2004

One year in the life...The experiences of our family in one year have surpassed anything we thought possible. Tears, laughter, remembering, hugging and grieving for our great guy. Wonderful people surrounded our Ryan in his life and in his death. He would be humbled by the love expressed for his life in his brotherhood of Chesterfield police officers and in his family.

Hope? We have it. One great preacher said, "Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East North Field is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all--out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal: a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like His glorious body."

So, "Someday you will read in the papers that Ryan Cappelletty of Chesterfield, VA is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now...."

Ryan is our CANARY IN THE COAL MINE. When the canary died, miners knew to get out of the mine--fast! May we live our lives with Ryan's warning that life is short, worship God. He would also give us a charge to keep: "Make the world a better place in my name."

CHRISTIANS NEVER SAY GOODBYE. THEY SAY, "SEE YOU LATER".

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9

Aunt Ellen
Family

May 28, 2004

I leave this message to Officer Cappelletty on the 1 year anniversary of your death. I had the honor of going to your funneral last year. I was heartbroken to hear of another officer loosing his life to protect his community and being so close to my own home. May God be with you and your family. "Blessed are the peace keepers, for they shall be called the children of God."

Deputy Sheriff J W Houston
York County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

May 28, 2004

Tomorrow we will commemorate an un-welcome anniversery. the tragic loss of my nephew Ryan.though I still grieve at his loss. I will also take time tomorrow to celebrate his life and reflect on the positive impact he had on so many people. A year later there is no answer to the question, why? God in his wisdom knows the answer. And we will know it when we join Ryan in heaven. To me my nephew is a hero and he forever shall be. he gave his life to ensure the protection of others, His death was not in vain. It is said that by Ryan being there that day he saved lifes of innocent civillians. Ryan performed his duty and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ryan your uncle will never, ever forget you.We are so very proud of who you were and who you are. We know that you are in a wonderful place far from the reaches of this cruel world. And we know by faith that we will see you again. We all carry the burden of being left behind. But I do not consider it as such. I see it as the opportunity to tell others of your selfless act and this has taught me to look at the more important things in life as well. I love you Nephew, we will never, never, forget

William Burkholder(Uncle Bill)
Ryans Uncle

May 27, 2004

I just received the Edinboro alumni update yesterday in the mail and saw the scholarship fund established in honor of Ryan's memory. Rachel was my RA sophomore year for a semester when I lived in Towers. I became an RA my junior year and moved to Scranton Hall, so I didn't see Rachel that often and did not know that she was dating Ryan and had gotten married.

My boyfriend is a former Montgomery County Police Officer and I understand the risk involved (he is now working for the Federal Government). But I also understand that if Ryan was anything like my boyfriend (and any other officer), he loved his job. Police officers work with true passion and dedication for their communities and put their lives on the line daily. Rachel, I am so sorry for your loss.

Jen Bennett
Edinboro University (1997-2001)

May 6, 2004

Dear Ryan,

It has been almost a year now since you left us. The sorrow i have felt over this last year is overwhelming. i feel it every day and i want to have you back and be able to tell you the fun things we have done and the great family parties we've had and have missed you being there with us to celebrate the occasions.

There is a huge hole in my life without you. You are part of our inner circle and life is just not the same without you here. We struggle every day to keep our chin up and carry on.

I find pennies everywhere! i think your dropping them ,so i save everyone to give to your mom! It seems just when i'm down the worst a penny turns up to let me know your with me and i'm not alone.

I am so sad to reach this anniversary date of your passing. I don't want to have to relive that sad day again so i hope to be able to celebrate what a wonderful impact you have had on my life and the wonderful times you and i and Nathan (your cousin) have had together and maybe i can be able to smile alittle instead of being so heartbroken. I will always have those times and will remember them always and miss you with all my heart. You are in my thoughts everyday.
I LOVE YOU.

Forever,

Aunt T

Aunt Teri

May 3, 2004

Ryan
I just read the reflection that Mike Gray, 107, left for you. I cant believe was taken from us too last week. I know the two of you are watching over us. Your family, as well as Mike's, are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you guys.

Chesterfield County Police Department, VA

March 12, 2004

Ryan...Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today. I know you were there for Mike on Fri. Sleep well soldier...

Anonymous

March 10, 2004