Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I WILL REMEMBER YOU


"I love you and be safe" his wife said as she kissed him good bye. Like any other day as she watched him go off for his tour of duty.

" It is so wonderful to see you and your new home and to give you a hug! I love you and miss you so." I told him when we visited him in March. that was the last time we saw him. Smiling and so happy.

"Bye son, I'm so proud of you and i love you so much," his dad told him the last time he hugged his son.

These are sentences we had said to Ryan in our last conversations with him. If we only knew we could have told him alot more of how we felt. He knew but i sure wish i would have hugged him alittle tighter.

The childhood memories of Ryan and his sister Rae and all his cousins , whom he loved like his own brothers and sisters are now so precious to me. Time can never take these moments from me.

Ryan call me Aunt "T" and i loved the nickname! He loved coming to our farm and riding the tractors and the four wheelers and we also taught him how to drive a stick shift in the hay fields. The snow tubing parties with our whole family there together. The pool parties that always ended up with someone going in with their clothes on! What fun!

We had a standing and ongoing battle over any "snickers bar" that appeared on the scene. It usually ended up with Ryan and Nathan and myself on the floor in a pile somewhere in the house with the loser on the bottom and no candy bar! It sure wasn't a party for us unless we brought one with us.

In my kitchen cabinet is the box of popcorn i kept on hand when Ryan would come to visit. He knew i had it there in that spot just for him and he would make it everytime he came over. It will probably be there in that same spot forever. He made the best popcorn!

I remember the day Ryan came and said" aunt T i want so much for Rachel to come to Chesterfield with me". I told him he better start thinking of asking some questions of Rachel. Not long after he was bubbling with joy that her answer was yes. His dreams were coming true!

I watched this young boy grow into a wonderful man. Very caring, considerate and disciplined and true to himself. I have nothing but pride for what he had become in life.

To his Chesterfield family, I love you all. Words cannot express the emotional help and the loving connection we all felt from your support. We couldn't have made it with out you. We know Ryan will not be forgotten. We still feel your arms around us even though we're 9 hours away.

For me, I have and empty spot in my heart. It will always be there. But so will Ryan's memory. I hope someday to see Ryan again and hold him and tell him all the things i wished i could have before this happened. He knew he was loved.

Thank you to everyone here that has left such wonderful reflections and comments for Ryan. They help us so much to cope with the lose of such a young family member.

We now have our own angel to be there when it's our turn to join him in heaven.

Lovingly,

Ryan's Aunt Teri

Aunt Teri

Another shining star has left our presence. I know that Ryan has joined Craig and many others in that place known as heaven. While he is no longer with us, a new star is shining in the night sky, looking down to us, watching over us. We'll miss you Ryan, and we'll copy the next call.
All of our love and prayers to Rachel. U-205 and family.

Master Officer C. R. Leedy
Chesterfield County Police Dept.

Ryan - I feel honored to have worked with you in Residence Life at Edinboro. Your caring nature and genuine concern for others was always evident. I'm not surprised to hear what an outstanding police officer you became. I'm just sorry you weren't able to serve longer in the position you worked so hard to achieve. May God bless you as one of his angels. Rachel and your family have been, and will always be, in my prayers.

Rebecca Hyland
Rochester, NY

Rachel and the Cappelletty family, my prayers and thoughts are with you now and always. Even though I did not personnally know Ryan, I know he was the kind of officer that wanted to protect and serve with all his integrity, strength and his whole being. He accomplished that and was a brave soldier. He will never be forgotten!!! My son-in-law is a Richmond Police Officer and I know he puts his life on the line everyday he works. We must pray for our police officers everyday and ask for God's protection!

Ryan, I pray you will become a guardian angel to my son-in-law Sean and watch over all of our law enforcement officers. I know you will do a good job!!

Carol Martin, Secretary
Chesterfield County Police Department

To the family of Ryan Cappelletty: our brother paramedic and Ryan's cousin, David Bunnell, called us the other day to inform us of Ryan's death.

As I read these tributes, I found that Ryan and I were both criminal justice graduates of Edinboro University, I graduated in 1989.

We are all brothers and sisters in the public safety family, and we feel the loss as well. God Bless all of you, be strong, and know that we are thinking of you.

Paramedic Supervisor Douglas M. Widmer
Medical Rescue Team South, Pittsburgh PA

"Ring"
Another soldier has been called to arms.
"Please watch over us, as we try to make things better."
You are not alone.
We will see you soon.

"day by day I try to make ends meet.
sometimes, it seems to get the best of me.
every now and then I let it get me down.
then something inside my heart,
let's me know to play my part,
we all know birds can fly.
how would they know if they never tried.
giving up is easier to do
but giving up means I would loose.
when it's all been said and done.
the "LORD" will say, "I'm glad you didn't give up"
"now your life has just begun and my son you finally won"


Faron

Faron L Akins
Randolph County 911, NC

301...301...301...10-42.

Those words will be remembered forever by all of us Rest in peace man.

Anonymous

I had only met him a few weeks before when he helped my family move into our new house, but even from just a few short meetings I feel honored to have known such a noble and all around good man. You have inspired me man and I'll never forget you. My father and the rest of my family miss you as much as I. Thank you for your dedication to make our streets safer. Keep liftin' those refridgerators in heaven man and I'll see ya on the other side.

Go in peace with God, friend!

Jake P.
Chesterfield Police Explorers

Grief is easy to express but difficult to describe so please bear with me. F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” This is truly what has happened. Ryan, may you rest in peace and take comfort in knowing that your family will be taken care of. Although your time with us was short, you managed to become part of our family…a family that will never forget your legacy. Although time will heal our pain, it could never fill the void that is left in our hearts. We will miss you, Ryan.

Officer Debby K. Matson
Chesterfield Police Department

To the wife and family of Ryan. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my husband not to long ago in the line of duty. When I watched to news my heart really went out to you. It is not easy but you can be strong. May God take some of your pain away as he has done for me. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Surviving widow of PA State Trooper

We had only known Ryan for 2 short years. He married our granddaughter--and he was like a grandson to us. He included us as part of his family immediately. He was wo kind, gentle, considerate of others and loving. Our hearts ache for our Rachel, Ryan's parents and sister in Erie, his grandparents also in Erie, and for Rachel's family too. They are all such a loving family, and Ryan loved his work as a police officer. We pray the Lord will give us all strength and comfort at the loss of our loved one. We pray that he will take care of Rachel and all of Ryan's family. We love you all. Gordon and Gladys Moritz, Nebraska

Rachel's Grandparents from Nebraska

It was four years and one day ago that we lost Officer Craig Rath. He died doing what he loved, serving God and his community so that we could live safer lives.

On May 28, 2003 we mourn yet another loss of Officer Ryan Cappelletty. He was so very young, and had so very much to give. I didnt know Officer Cappelletty, but I feel the pain all over again of losing Craig when I think about it. Thank you Officer Cappelletty for giving to our community and making it safer. I know your in a far better place now, and if you dont mind could you say hi to my friend Craig. You will be missed by all the lives you have touched Ryan, and I know that you will be an angel among us. Thanks for all you have done, God bless you and your family.

AMB

To Rachel and the Cappelletty Family:

As residents of the county of Chesterfield our family is truly saddened by your loss (and ours). We know that Ryan took an oath of service to defend and protect us and all other citizens of this county. He did that in the ultimate way. We grieve with you in your loss and pray that God will sustain you and give you comfort in this most trying time.

The Wittenbraker Family
Chesterfield County Residents

Rest in peace, Ryan.

Off. M.T. Tuttle
Virginia Beach Police Dept.

Rest in peace brother.......May the ruthless criminal 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

To the Cappellety family,

A heartfelt cry for peace in our world, our nation and our communities. As the world grows colder, their will be men
the Lord raises up against evil. Ryan was called by the Lord
Jesus to serve and protect. He gave his life so that other lives might be saved (sparred). No greater love doeth a man have for his brother, but to give up his life in sacrifice. May God comfort you, may the angels of peace and love surround you. Forgiveness is a powerful emotion, it will cleanse us and bring us closer to Jesus. Bitterness will spread like cancer and consume us. Let it be known Ryan has a special place in the kingdom! In the the name of Jesus!

Bro. Marty Timmons
Evangelist of the Gospel

Our Fallen Heroes in Heaven are with God Almighty and the Lord is always with us, then we are not that far apart through Him. May God bless the Soul of Ryan and comfort his Family.

Master Police Officer Hank Holland
Chesterfield County Police Department

Officer Cappelletty- I watched you marry our niece Racheal about a year ago. I have never met a nicer family than the Cappelletty's. I am still in the grieving process and praying for both families. I have no strength to bear this grief-so God your going to have to carry us on this one!

I am thankful for you Ryan and what you represent. You payed the ultimate sacrfice to serve and protect. You loved your job. You also loved Jesus who outranks us all. For you and anyone else to stand between us law abiding citizens and those who have no respect for the law and are willing to do so at risk of your life, then pay that price you have my undying respect and gratitude. You were called home way too young with a great life ahead of you. Please Jesus help me understand through your grace and with the help of time why he thought so much of you to order you to his heavenly home so soon.

In Christ's Name -Amen.

G. L. Nielsen
Uncle

My heart goes out to family and friends. Nobody can explain the loss, none of us wants to ever have to. Remember that we chose this way of life to try to make a difference. Our job is one that places our lives in many forms of harm. It is also a job that places us in many positions of satisfaction.

We help more people than we restrain, we see more smiles than harm. In spite of this, we are always in harms way.

There is no explanation for what we do, except that we live and are willing to die for it.

God bless you all for your support in having to live with one of us. We are a special breed, and so are you.

Deputy Sheriff Michael DiGravio
Plymouth CountySheriff's Dept.

To the family and friends of Officer Cappelletty:

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I can tell from reading about him and reading all of the things that people have written here that he truly had a calling, and that in his 23 years of life and only a few months in law enforcement he touched more lives than many people will in a life three times as long. His life was cut too short, but in his sacrifice he protected many and will always be a hero. I hope that you can comfort each other through these difficult times, and God bless you!

Anonymous
Mountain View, CO

Although I never personally knew Ryan, every time I talked to him on the phone or over the radio, he was very enthusiastic about his job and loved coming to work every day. We keep asking ourselves why God took Ryan when he was so young, but we have to believe in our hearts that God needed Ryan for a higher assignment. We will never forget Ryan and will always be grateful for his sacrifice.
"Friends are quiet Angels who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering to fly". Ryan was truly an angel to his friends and he will continue to watch over his friends, family and fellow North Midnight Officers. May God Bless his family and friends and give them strength to heal.

Anonymous

Although I never personally knew Ryan, every time I talked to him on the phone or over the radio, he was very enthusiastic about his job and loved coming to work every day. We keep asking ourselves why God took Ryan when he was so young, but we have to believe in our hearts that God needed Ryan for a higher assignment. We will never forget Ryan and will always be grateful for his sacrifice.
"Friends are quiet Angels who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering to fly". Ryan was truly an angel to his friends and he will continue to watch over his friends, family and fellow North Midnight Officers. May God Bless his family and friends and give them strength to heal.

Anonymous

"Not all heroes walk in the glamour of the lights. Not all angels have wings. Love is the power that will open your eyes. Love is the sight that lets you see these things."

Anonymous

May God comfort your family and friends during these trying times. We know you are with Jesus, and he's taking care of you.
God Bless you brother.
G. Lyons

CPL. G. Lyons (Retired)
City of Falls Church, Va

We all feel the pain of the loss of such a young officer, and we all bleed BLUE,
Godspeed my brother, we will continue the fight!
Rest easy

Detective Chris Humphries
Chesterfield County PD