Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and friends of Ryan Cappelletty, our hearts go out to you. He paid the highest price and sacrificed his own life to protect and to serve. May he never be forgotten in the hearts of those who knew him and who loved him. He is one of our countries hereos and has earned his place in heaven. May his wife and family members find peace and strength at this difficult time and be proud of him for his bravery.

Don & Erin Stepko
Powhatan, Va.

"A POLICE OFFICERS WIFE"
A policeman's wife I have chosen to be
A man of law and order stands side by side with me
each day when he leaves our home, I say a silent prayer
and I tell him that I love him and to take special care
His duty is to the public, to protect and to serve
to enforce the laws and never from his duty to swerve
Danger is always present, each time he leaves our home
The prayers I say, help to protect him
Wherever he must roam.

To the wife, family and colleagues of Officer Cappelletty, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope your able to find some comfort in all the heartfelt words that come from the many people whom have visited this web site and share in your grief.
Thank you officer Cappelletty for giving the ultimate sacrifice!
And to the many police officers across our nation and the world thank you for carrying on, in his name and all of the other fallen officers who have done the same. You all are truly angels in disguise.

Wife of a Richmond City Police Officer

rest in peace brother officer

police officer
columbus police dept columbus,oh

I cant begin to explain my feelings at hearing the news of my nephews sacrifice. I can say that he is a true hero. One who would do what he had to do for his fellow man. that is why he became a police officer. my family is so proud of him. and we are so saddened by his loss. on behalf of my family i would like to thank all those that have listed there thoughts here on this page. it is very heart warming to know that ryan was so loved and respected. my only regret is that those who did not know him will never have the chance now, he was truely a special individual. Rachel we love you and are here for you.
Ryan , we trust that god has taken you into his arms. and pray for your peaceful rest. fair winds and following seas dear nephew, we love you and you will be missed.

Uncle bill

bill burkholder
uncle to ryan

Earlier this month, Officer Cappelletty responded to my call for help. He was professional, polite & caring - an exemplary model of the Chesterfield Police Dept and an asset to our community. I am deeply saddened by his tragic death, the resulting grief for his family & the loss to our community. His family & fellow police officers will remain in our prayers.

Julie Utsch
Chesterfield County

Julie Utsch, RN, PHN
Richmond City Dept of Public Health

I just want to let everyone know what a wonderful and dedicated young man Ryan Cappelletty was. I just became a member of this wonderful family 8 years ago and it did not take long to admire Ryan. I know in my heart that God has a special place for him. He must have needed another archangel and he could not have chosen any person better than our Ryan. We will miss him dearly but we know he died doing what he loved and that was serving his community and the people in it. I ask for your prayers for his family in their time of sorrow. I pray God will keep them in the palm of his hand. Hey Ryan, I will see you in heaven.
Love,
Your Aunt Nany

Nancy Burkholder
Aunt of Ryan Cappelletty

To the family members of the slain officer and the Chesterfield County PD..our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time - he is now in a better place. May God bless each and every one of you....

Larry Marshall & family
Chesterfield residents

Dear Family and Friends,
Our hearts are broken for you but we will be your strength. We will be praying for you as you walk through this storm.

Cathy Hill
surviving spouse Deputy Barrett Hill
e.o.w. 12/4/00
He died protecting those he didn't even know.

I didn't know him, but every time the news reports come on about his death -- and more importantly, his life -- I am filled with anger at the senselessness of a young man with so much to live for, with so much joy in living his dream of service to others, that he would be taken away from us and from his family so young and so tragically. He was so happy and proud to be doing the work he was doing, and I am just plain ANGRY! I pray for his familly and friends, and for their ability to get beyond the anger and grief they must be feeling now. Please know that there are people all over who didn't even know him except through the media coverage who are holding you in our hearts and trying to get past our OWN anger and grief. May God bless you and comfort you.

Julie
Citizen, Kents Store VA

TO THE CAPPELLETTY FAMILY IF GOD CAN BRING YOU TO THIS HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH THIS. CONTINUE TO BE STRONG. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

KAREN GREEN
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Officer Cappelletty,
I only knew you as a fellow law enforcement officer. We shared only a few words at a time as we crossed paths on midnight shift, but you were always one of those officer's that stuck in my mind because of your genuine interest and concern for others, you always took the time to say "hello, how ya doing, and have a good night."
The thoughts and prayers of the Chesterfield Co. Sheriff's Office are with you and the entire Cappelletty family in this time of sorrow and grief.
You made that ULTIMATE sacrafice Ryan, and you will be forever honored and remembered for that. Brother may you rest in peace. We will never forget.

Deputy J.V. Hipkins
Chesterfield Co. Sheriff's Office

May you rest in peace, my brother in blue.
It is now your brothers in blue watch to continue now.
You will always be remembered, honored and loved
In this county, this country and this Nation.

May God Bless your Family, and give them the strength and courage to go on.

Investgator K. Houchens
Virginia State University Police Dept.

Officer Cappelletty, I am a Chesterfield resident in which you protected. I am so sadden you had to give your life in order to protect us. When I heard the news, I was thinking you would be ok. However, I now know YOU are OK, you are in heaven. I am very proud of you and send to your wife, mother, father and sister what a hero you are. Thank you
Cathy-Chesterfield Co. VA

A FALLEN HERO YOU WERE AND AN ANGEL YOU ARE NOW... I LEAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES... I DID NOT KNOW YOU BUT I RESPECT THE FIELD THAT YOU ARE IN BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT THERE TO HELP KEEP ME SAFE ALSO SO I WANT TO LEAVE YOUR FAMILY THIS LITTLE POEM AND MAYBE LEAVE SOME GUIDANCE TO THEM.....

TO THOSE I LOVE AND THOSE THAT LOVE ME

WHEN I AM GONE,RELEASE ME,LET ME GO.
I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO SEE AND DO.
YOU MUSTN'T TIE YOURSELF TO ME WITH TEARS,
BE HAPPY THAT WE HAD SO MANY YEARS.
I GAVE YOU MY LOVE AND YOU CAN ONLY GUESS,
HOW MUCH YOU GAVE ME IN HAPPINESS.
I THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE YOU EACH HAVE SHOWN,
BUT NOW IT'S TIME I TRAVELED ALONE.
SO GRIEVE AWHILE FOR ME, IF GRIEVE YOU MUST
THEN LET YOUR GRIEF BE COMFORTED BY TRUST.
IT'S ONLY FOR AWHILE THAT WE MUST PART
SO BLESS THE MEMORIES WITHIN YOUR HEART.
I WON'T BE FAR AWAY,FOR LIFE GOES ON,
SO,IF YOU NEED ME,CALL AND I WILL COME.
THOUGH YOU CAN'T SEE ME OR TOUCH ME,I"LL BE NEAR,
AND IF YOU LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART,
YOU"LL HEAR ALL MY LOVE AROUND YOU SOFT AND CLEAR.
AND THEN,WHEN YOU MUST COME THIS WAY ALONE,
I"LL GREET YOU WITH A SMILE AND SAY "WELCOME HOME"

THIS WAS A POEM ON A 29 YEAR OLD'S FUNERAL PAMPLET THAT WAS JUST BURIED YESTERDAY SO IN MANY WAYS I HOPE THAT THIS WILL BRING YOU SOME COMFORT. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS NOW AND FOREVER IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this fine young officer. I too have felt the pain of losing a 23yr old officer. (Deputy Adam Streicher EOW 3-22-02) No words can express the anger and helplessness you all must be feeling. I hope in time we all can come to some understanding why we must feel the pain of losing someone so young and with his career in front of him. I hope that you can find peace and move forward and always know he will be remembered.

Amy Brown
Sister of Deputy Adam Streicher EOW 3-22-02

AMY BROWN

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE CAPPELLETTY FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE CHESTERFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF THIS BRAVE HERO.

T. Taylor, INVESTIGATOR
STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

Rest In Peace Brother, We have the watch now.

A Sister in Blue

Corporal
SPD

My prayers are with the officer's family. I am the mother-in-law of an officer who lives with his familyin Maryland. He work for the Baltimore city police department. I cry everytime I hear news like this. May God be with all of you.

Officer Cappelletty ,thank you for your dedication and bravery, rest in peace. To Officer Cappelletty's wife our prayers are with you in your loss of such a brave husband.

Officer Burcham
Decatur Police Dept(AL)

Our hearts are breaking for your family. We know you are in a safe place now and will be watching over them forever. Our thought and prayers are with the whole family thought this trying time. Thank you, Ryan, for the ultimate sacrifice you gave us citizens of Chesterfield County. Even though you were on the force a short time, you gave it your all and we love you for it. God Bless!

The Kotula Family (Citizens )

As a former Law Enforcement Explorer with the Chesterfield County Police Department I know how much of a good officer that Ryan and all of the officers who wear famous Green uniform of the Chesterfield County Police. We can never place into words about how much Ryan will be missed by all in the law enforcement brotherhood. It takes a very special person be able to wear the badge. As security police officer in the air force as well as beginning my law enforcement career in the civilian world. I can only hope that I can live up to be half the man and officer that Ryan was. You will never be forgotten and you live forever in gods world.

Deputy Jason Slaughter
Henrico County Sheriffs Office

I leave my condolences to the family members of this young and promising officer. He was so young and full of promise. I pray that out of this tragedy something positive will come for our men and women in uniform.
Please, be strong and know that he died doing something he loved.

To the family of Officer Ryan Cappelletty, I wish to thank you for he was a kind, caring individual who just last week came to my home and spoke with my 16 yr. old daughter about her driving privilege and how she needed to speak with her mother and work things out. He spoke with me and and my daughter. He showed a genuine concern for my daughters wellfare. A genuine caring about a child needing to be brought back on track. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a blessing to my daughter and me. We to live in the Plum creek subdivision off of Duck River Ct. He was where he was needed and he did make a difference.

Anonymous

Rest in Peace.

R.R. Barta, Father of Lee Barta
EOW 8-3-95

R.R. Barta

Thank you for your sacrifice. Our prayers are with your family, may God watch over them and keep them throughout this time of mourning. A true hero has been taken from us, rest in peace brother.

Officer Stuart Bowen
Lynchburg VA PD