Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Uniform of Green
Written by Sgt. John J. Coffey Jr. and wife

His Uniform is pressed perfectly at the seams
it's not the usual police blue, but green
it hangs in the bedroom each night
Not knowing the next days plight

His family knows he has made a choice
to wear this uniform, not out of vanity or greed
He is there to uphold justice
and to protect all those in need

With the light of the sun there comes a new day
His wife kisses his check gently
He straightens his lapel and goes off on his way

As he heads out the door he smiles
because he knows he has been given enough love
but prays for God to send
angels to protect him from above

He gets the call of duty, the sirens wail
will this be the day justice will prevail

There's a chill in the breeze
hearts are not at ease
today he gave his life
the ultimate sacrifice


To his fellow police officers he
was a brother and friend
they will honor his memory
to the bitter end

He risked his life and gave it all
today he received the eternal call

He now walks his beat
on God's golden streets
and his uniform of green
in heaven can proudly be seen

Sgt. John J. Coffey Jr.
Chesterfield County Police Department

Ryan- Words cannot express the depth of your contributions to humanity and ultimate heroism. Sharing your life with others, doing the right thing, making others know that they were special, motivating people to succeed, keeping a positive outlook, and your smile :) were all of your trademarks and legacy.

We miss you and honor your memory - we are all better people for having known you.

My sincere and deepest sympathy to the entire Cappelletty, Chesterfield and Edinboro Families at this most challenging time.

Kim Kennedy
Edinboro University of PA

Dear Officer Cappelletty - once a brother always a brother. You are truely a hero. GOD speed Brother and may the LORD bless you, your family, and the Chesterfield County PD.

Steven C. Guibord, Naples Police, Utah
Inv. Jackie Guibord, Provo Police, Utah SISB (ret.)

Chief Steven C. Guibord
Naples Police Department, Utah

To the Cappelletty family: My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this time of sadness.

I graduated from high school with Ryan, but unfortunatly being such a large class I never had the opportunity to get to know him.

Officer Matthew LaKari
Fairview Township Police, PA

"Isnt' it strange that princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people like you and me,
are builders for eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,
an hour glass, a book of rules;
And each much make, 'ere life is thrown
a stumbling block or a stepping stone."- Unknown

While on earth, you exemplified honor, courage, compassion, integrity and bravery. Every life you touched is better for having known you. In all of your interactions - in class, at work, with your friends, and serving others - you helped to pave the way for others' success.

Now, Rachel, your family, and your friends know that you have gone ahead to prepare for the day when we will again be reunited. Thanks for leaving your smile on our hearts : )

Anonymous

"Chesterfield to Unit 301... We have a special assignment for you. You're needed to respond to Heaven. This will require an extreme sacrifice from you and your family, however, we know only you can be assigned this call. You're job here in Chesterfield is important, but this assignment is far greater. This will require an officer with all the heart, courage and enthusiasm you possess. There are many more lives to be watched over and many more hearts to be touched. We are confident you will be able to take care of all of us in this county and in the world. This is a very difficult task, but remember you will never be alone. At the end of this lifelong duty, we will all be waiting to assist you in Heaven."

Kerry West U-859
Chesterfield County Emergency Communications

Though we never met, you will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace hero.

Lt. Cliff Gibson
East Point, GA

GOD bless this man's family, friends, and co-workers. Know that depsite our pain he is in a far better place than we. Until we see you again, Ofc. Cappalletty ... rest in eternal peace in Glory.

Deputy Sheriff
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida

Cappy was a wonderful man who touched the hearts of everyone that he met. I don't think that he could have had an enemy in the world. It is an honor for me to have had the opportunity to spend several years first in high school and then college with him. It is also nice to know that when I move to Chesterfield County in two weeks that I am moving to such a caring community. My heart and prayers go out to his wife. A great man has been taken from us.

Allison Burkell
Erie, PA

Cappy was a wonderful man who touched the hearts of everyone that he met. I don't think that he could have had an enemy in the world. It is an honor for me to have had the opportunity to spend several years first in high school and then college with him. It is also nice to know that when I move to Chesterfield County in two weeks that I am moving to such a caring community.

Allison Burkell

To the Family and Co workers of officer Cappelletty..We Also lost a brother in arms..the following poem was read at Officer Make Hartzell's Funeral, It helped me to deal with the loss of my friend and fellow officer..i hope it does the same for you.. Godspeed Officer.

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

Patrolman W.K. Burton
Youngstown Police Department( Ohio)

You are in a better place now. I will pray for you and your family. I hope I never receive a call like this for my sister while she is on duty but I know she loves her job as I am sure you did. God Bless you and you are in a much better place and WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!!!!!!!!

Debbie Shelton
Sister of a Richmond Officer

You are in a better place now. I will pray for you and your family. I hope I never receive a call like this for my sister while she is on duty but I know she loves her job as I am sure you did. God Bless you and you are in a much better place and WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!!!!!!!!

Debbie Shelton
Sister of a Richmond Officer

I am very sorry for this officer and his family and friends. This has greatly upset me because my little sister is a richmond city police office. I hope I never get the call that this great young man's family received. I can not imagine what his family is going through. Somehow, God will pull you through.

God Bless,
Debbie Shelton

Debbie Selton

May God bless the family, friends, fellow officers and especially his wife at this terrible time.
We just lost one of our officers, Michael Hatrtzell, on April 29,2003 here in Youngstown. We know what the loss of a wonderful man like Ryan can do to the heart.
Rest in peace Officer Ryan Cappelletty, and know that you will never be forgotten. Continue to watch over us from up above.
Thank you for the time you served , even if it were only for awhile.

Anonymous

Virginia law enforcement has suffered a great loss. I attended Officer Cappelletty's memorial service today(05/31/03). He would have been proud to see the show of support from the surrounding agencies and community for his family and loved ones.
Though I did not know him personally I have lost a brother. His ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Officer Derek Chittenden
Petersburg Police Dept.

I received a call from my daughter on that fateful day letting me know our Ryan was ok. She was crying so hard I had trouble understanding her so I went numb until I was sure I heard the words I needed to hear - Ryan was safe. But a friend and fellow officer from the same graduating class was not - a young man who was also named Ryan. I know the pride on his family's face when he graduated from the police academy and all the hopes and dreams they had for him. I don't understand why his life was cut short but I know he made a difference and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for his sacrifice. I pray for your family and all the officers who put there life on the line everyday.

God Bless You.

Sandy

Sandy Stevenson

We just wanted to thank you all for your kind words and prayers. Reading through these memorials has made us realize that Ryan shared himself with so many. In a way, we all only knew parts of him. The thoughts and memories he left with us all are what make up the whole of Ryan. Knowing only a piece of him was enough to make you love him.
Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. It truely does help knowing Ryan was important to so many and that people really care.
Ryan...you touched us all and we will miss you dearly. You will forever hold a place in our hearts. Now...you go find your baby cousin and give her a big hug for us OK?
Love you forever and a day. Bless and keep you-Uncle Ron and Aunt Laurie

Ron and Laurie Matson
Uncle and Aunt to Ryan

I am very saddened that another brother has been taken away from us in another senseless act of violence. I did not know you Officer Cappelletty but you were my brother. As a Chesterfield County resident I want to thank you for watching over my Family while I was on duty in Richmond watching over someone else's family. I know that you were a great Police Officer and an outstanding human being. Rest in peace Unit 301, we will take the watch from here.

My deepest sympathy to the family and wife of Officer Ryan Cappelletty. I want you to know that he will be missed greatly by all of his brothers and sisters in the law enforcement family. You need to know that his death only makes myself and other officers stronger and we will continue the battle against evil as he assists from the big precinct in the sky. God will get you through these tragic times. Rest easy and God Bless.

Officer S.W. Harrell
Richmond Police Department

Our prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family.
We will miss you dearly, and will see you on the other side.

Officer T.D. Morton (307) and Family
Chesterfield P.D.

It saddens us that one of our son's fellow officers has fallen. Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan's family.

Tim & Pat Morton
Polk City, Iowa

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 Cappelletty and the Chesterfield County Police Department, your family of Law Enforcement Officers grieve with you during this time. Officer Cappelletty though our badges are different, rest in peace with the other fallen heros, my brother. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Fairfax County Police Department

Bless you brother in blue you will be missed. God bless the family, friends and Chesterfield PD. I am origninally from VA so this hits close to home. We also lost an officer in Dec. 2002 which was heartbreaking so I wanted to let you know that you are all in my prayers. Have faith and strength knowing that he is in heaven watching over you and will always be with you in your heart. Bless you all.

PTL T.N. Prout
Myrtle Beach PD

To the the family of Ryan Cappelletty know that you are in the thoughts and prayer of my family. I know that Ryan has two families and loved him and thought alot of him, and will miss him dearly. god bless Ryan, Family Members, and the Chesterfield County Police Department.

Deputy J.K.
DINWIDDIE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

Our heart aches for you loss and for all those you left behind. We will remember you fondly for your kindness, great sense of humor and your unconditional love for your family. You would have made and excellent law officer not to mention a father as our children adored you and Rachel dearly. The only comfort we have is in knowing God has gained a true angel and we know you are smiling down upon us. We will keep all of the family in our prayers and will join together in keeping your loving memory alive. Rest in peace knowing your were dearly loved and will be greatly missed. You are a hero to us all--we loved you so much!

Jill McGee
cousin to Ryan