Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Let our hearts
not overflow with pain
But seek out comfort
in the memories that remain
Remember that our loss
is yet Heaven's gain.

Rest in Peace Ryan...

May God Bless and Comfort your family in this most difficult time.

Chesterfield Police Department

There is no way to know how many citizens' lives were saved when Ryan laid down his life that morning. School children getting on the bus, people going to work, other officers responding to the call. To Ryan's family, there are no words that can describe what you are feeling and what you will be feeling as time goes on. Just know that it takes time-day by day, minute by minute, breath by breath-and that it will get easier to bear. Take comfort knowing that Ryan was your wonderful son, Rachel's loving husband, brother to all law enforcement officers, and that he cared enough to put on that green uniform and stand tall and brave in the face of danger for those four little words that ring in all officers' ears "to serve and protect" no matter the cost.

Anonymous

On the morning of Wednesday 28 May 2003 at 0700 Hours I marked 10-42 (End tour of duty) and was enroute to my residence after a long boring watch on D/N. I arrived there and was shortly greeted by my wife, who is a dispatcher for Petersburg Bureau of Police and who also works the same shift as I do.

On the morning of Wednesday 28 May 2003 at approximately 0700 hours, you also marked 10-42 (End tour of duty) and it was for good. You responded to a call for service with the potential of being your last call for service and it was. You paid the ultimate price at the hands of a cowardly criminal who has no regard or compassion for human life, much less a noble, valiant, brave, professional Police Officer Ryan E. Cappelletty.

I graduated from Crater Criminal Justice Academy on Friday 14 February 2003, just like you did in January of this year from Chesterfield County Police Department. I completed 12 weeks of Field Training, just as you had to do probably much shorter than mine. I was given the keys to my assigned patrol unit and beat assignment and had the responsibility of enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, protecting the citizens of the county and the students of Virginia State University, just as you were.

Ryan, although i never had the chance to meet you, working on the Campus of Virginia State University and the outskirts of Ettrick - Matoaca area 10 B we may have passed or backed one another on a traffic stop marking 10-8 (in Service) Code 13 (assist made).

The Law Enforcement family lost a close brother and a true American HERO! May you rest in peace my brother. My sincere condolences to the Family, friends of Officer Cappelletty and The Chesterfield County Police Department. We have a guardian angel in Officer Ryan Cappelletty and as you now patrol the golden streets in Heaven, watch over us as we continue the battle here on Earth!!!

Ptlmn. Don W. Reichhardt U-125
Virginia Sate University Police Department Chesterfield, Virginia

Ryan, you have served your family, your community, and your country proud. Now you have joined your grandfather Eugene and I'm sure he is proud to have you, too. I have been so grateful to be able to share these reflections since we are so far away from the family, but close in heart. Love to all of you there. Your great Aunt Betty

Betty Brown

To the Cappelletty family:
I don't recall personally meeting your loved one, but as a dispatcher stuck in a room for eight hours a night I don't meet a lot of officers. This does not matter, because these officers are my brothers, and they became your brothers as soon as Ryan swore to serve and protect the citizens of this county. As they walk out of your houses & step into those police cruisers, know there is a person on the other end of that radio that cares about your loved one and will do anything they can and have to in order to protect, support, & care about them until they pull into your driveways at night. Ryan's loss will be sorely felt on midnight shift (where I work) for a very long time, but we know that even as we mourn him, he is watching over and protecting us as we protect others. My heart has broken for you, brother officer, and for your family as well. Go in peace, go with God, and I'll see you one day in heaven.

Anonymous

Unit- 301
You will not be forgotten my brother in green. Your wife Rachel and your family are in all of our prayers. God Bless you......"MY BROTHER"

Officer Mark Bowen
Chesterfield County Police Department

Every day before leaving the squadroom for patrol I make an effort to check this website and share with my fellow officers the sad news that another officer has made the ultimate sacrifice. I do this not to scare them or depress them as they hit the streets, but to remind them of the ever present danger connected with our jobs. I also do this to honor the memory of the officer and to place them and their families in our prayers. Thank you Ryan, you will not be forgotten.

CPL BILL HALLAM
FREDERICKSBURG P.D.

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


CPD, NY

rest in peace brother. you will not be forgotten.

police officer
Fort Lee Military Police, Fort Lee, VA

I READ THIS AND CRIED.. THEN I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY AND WIFE. THIS IS HAPPENING WAY TO OFTEN. I'M REALLY HURT BEHIND THIS AND I WILL ALWAYS PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH.

OFFICER GERI E. MACK BADGE3336
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMT

I am always saddened anytime I hear about the death of a police officer, but this tradgedy was personal to me. I did not know Officer Cappelletty, but I know and have riden along with several officers with his department and have had aspirations of being a police officer myself. To his wife and family my deepest sympathys and to his fellow officers as well. I would like to personally thank you for doing the job you do. Not ony officers in Chesterfield, VA, but every police officer, fire fighter, emt, rescue worker, and dispatcher across the nation. God Bless You.

Paul Heath
A Chesterfield Police Department Citizen Ride-a-Long

Again another brother in blue pays the ultimate sacrifice. May God be with your family. My prayers are with you and the whole Chesterfield P.D.
God Speed Brother.

P.O. David Calla
NYPD

Dearest Ryan, Rae, Robbin, Rick, and family, I am so sorry for this terrible loss. I can't even imagine what you all are going through right now. I have been grieving with you everyday, and I pray for all of you everynight! Ryan was the sweetest guy, and he will never be forgotten! Just remember that we are all here for you, and words can't even explain the sympathy we are feeling for you. He will live on in the lives of so many, we will never forget him. He is a hero in so many peoples eyes, and he is! He is with God now, and can look over everyone everyday, and he will always be with you! I love all of you!

Susan Carson
Lifelong Friend

We thank you for all of your prayers, concerns and messages. We have or will read every message. We have lost a son, husband, brother, and friend. The community has lost a brave officer who served because he "loved the job". We grieve for the loss but focus on supporting his wife Rachel. Thank you. Your comments mean more than you could know.

Donations for Rachel Cappelletty are being accepted by the Chesterfield County Police Foundation.

Ryan Cappelletty's Family

We are very saddened by the loss of Officer Cappelletty. Another senseless act has taken away a shining star. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cappelletty family and all of the Public Safety professionals in Chesterfield County that are grieving this tremendous loss. Ryan, be assured that you will always be apart of this family and never be forgotten.

Kelly Quinn
Forest View Rescue Squad

Ryan -
Although we only met in passing, it is true now that this tragedy has made you one of the most influential people in my law enforcement career. You answered the call when it counted most, and for that I have the upmost respect and admiration. All of your brother officers at CCPD know that it could have been one of us answering that call, and we all can only hope inside that we would have exhibited the same bravery you did. You are now an inspiration to the rest of us and will forever remain one of US. Rest in peace.
Ofc. Wes Fertig U-121
Chesterfield County Police Department

Ofc. Wes Fertig Unit 121
Chesterfield County Police Department

To Officer Cappelletty's wife and family. I know your pain and I am truly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are will you.

Lee Ann
Officer André Booker, Henrico Co. VA, EOW 1/12/03

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Officer Cappelletty. we admire our "MEN IN BLUE" who go out everyday and risk their lives to keep us safe. May your faith in God see you through this most difficult time. sincerely, Tom and Brenda Heath

I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Officer Cappelletty. He displayed bravery and courage beyond words. I just know God has a special place for him. God Bless!

Jean Gray
Chesterfield County resident

I live in Chesterfield and I am so proud of the way the Officers carry themselves. They are the best. Rest in Peace Officer Cappelletty. You have given your life to protect others. No greater sacrifice can be made by one man. Thank you. God be with your family.

Rick Fisk

Living in a metropolitan area conspicuous among American communities for the high level of violent crime, we as Richmond citizens are braced for the regular reportage of life lost to the randomly violent world in which we must live.
There is so much sadness when anyone becomes a victim- a child at home struck by a bullet during a drive-by, a young mother driving down a city street shot by gun-wielding hoodlums who shot her dead for having the temerity to honk her horn at them to move out of the middle of the street, and yes, even the loss of our fellow citizens who swore an oath to protect and serve even at the possible cost of their own lives.

Among agencies charged with policing in the greater Richmond metropolitan area, it is this citizen's impression that Chesterfield's finest have consistently upheld the highest standards for restraint in the face of daunting odds of peril posed against their own persons. Exercising great restraint in the exercise of their authority, I have watched countless times as Chesterfield officers defused potentially lethal encounters with the public. Always quiet, soft-spoken, firm but fair in their dealings with all citizens, I want all to know that the officers serving our community deserve our support, not only when terrible events put them in the headlines, but in the every day, when our countless little acts of support and encouragement can provide them the sort of compensation that goes far beyond the pecuniary and routine.

Show that you are with them. Show that you support them. Show that you love them. Do your part, and sleep better tonite knowing that they are ever vigilant, ever watchful, and ever responsive, for reasons that go way beyond the mere requirements of performing one's job...

James E. McLane
Midlothian, Virginia

James E. McLane, citizen
Resident of Chesterfield County, Virginia

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED AND WE WILL CONTINUE YOUR WATCH...YOU ARE NOW WALKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD

CPL LARRY FERMIN
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE, NC

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this fallen officer. I've been in your shoes and I've walked the hard road you are now walking down. I hope you somehow find peace in your time of sorrow. May God be there to comfort you in this time of need.

As to you, Ofc. Cappelletty, Rest in Peace..my brother in blue. I will 10-25 you in Heaven!


Surviving Spouse of Allen W. Gibson, Jr.
End of Watch 04/25/1998

Ofc. Laura Gibson-Szerokman
Radford University Police Dept.

I am so very sad to hear of this fine young officer's untimely death under such savage circumstances. At least the perp is not a burden to siciety anymore.

This is a sad example of the dangers that we routinely face in this profession. I pray for his family, friends and colleagues. We are all hurt by this tragedy, because we are all family of the badge, regardless of where we wrok or what uniform we wear.

He now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael.

Be safe out there and God Bless.

Chief JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public SChools, Avery Dist SP

LORD, I ask for courage
Courage to face and
conquer my own fears...
Courage to take me where others will not go...

I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others,
and strength of spirit to lead others...
I ask for dedication
Dedication to my job, to do it well
Dedication to my community
to keep it safe...
And please, LORD, through it all,
be at my side...

God was at his side and was taken by the angels to a place in the sky where he can watch over you and your family. He is not alone he joins thousands of angels who lost their lives saving and protecting others for the good of mankind.

(Son of a Retired New York City Housing Police Lieutenant

Anthony Hastings
Salem Church Middle School Chesterfield County