Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Romans 13:4
For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Special Operations Group
FBI Detroit Division

Rest in Peace Blue Angel... Walk God's streets in Peace and Happiness. We are all here for you family and friends.

CPD

Fly high brother!

K9 Unit
Gulf Shores, AL Police Department

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Arnold be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Strickland's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Arnold is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Arnold was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W. (01/03/03)

Rest in peace my brother you are in God hands!!!!

Anonymous

To the family and friends of Officer Strickland,

I'm so sorry to hear about this huge loss to you and your community. This was such a senseless tragedy, and I hope that you can come together to support each other through these difficult times. In a small community like the one in which Officer Strickland served I'm sure that this horrific event is really going to touch a lot of people, and I am sure that he and the others who died will long be remembered as heroes. God bless and comfort you all!

Anonymous
Mountain View, CO

Thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten. Our prayers are with the family of Officer Strickland

Anonymous

Loosing one officer is almost unimagineable. Loosing three members of the same agency (especially one the size of Fayette's) is unbearable. My heart goes out to all three families, to the department and the entire town of Fayette. Your loss is being shared by a family that stretches across the country. Please know that you will be in their prayers.

Becky Muncy
Widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy, Columbus, Ohio P.D. - EOW 04/05/95

This is a senceless and tragic loss. Rest in peace brother.

S/TRP
South Carolina Highway Patrol

What a very sad day for the Law Enforcement family, my thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Strickland's family, agency and community. May God bless all of you...


A Brother in blue...

Master Police Officer Don Hurley
Eloy, Az. Police Department

On behalf of the Arab Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two slain officers.

Corporal Seth L. Sullivan
Arab Police Department, Alabama

Rest in peace blue angel.

Shannon
concerned citizen

My thoughts and prayers are extended to the members of the Fayette PD and to the family of Offc. Strickland. To Offc. Strickland, thank you for your years of service. You will not be forgotten.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

Rest in peace Brother Arnold, you will not be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK

Brother, May God bless you and your family. You will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

Godspeed my brother.

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

Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI

Rest in peace brother.

State Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

We are truly saddened at Arnold's loss.
What a devastating day in the police community!
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) PD

May God Bless.

Patrolman Jimmy Jones
Jackson Mississippi Airport Police Department

To the family and friends of Officer Strickland:
"The same everlasting Father that takes care of you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.
Either He will shield you from suffering or give you the unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
St. Francis of Assissi

Anonymous

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Strickland for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

God speed dear fallen Officer
Shall you know no fear and always find your way to souls in need.

Sgt. Jones
Nova Agency Crime Prevention Div. Florida

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 Arnold Strickland and the Fayette Police Department , your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieve with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you during this most difficult time.

To all my brothers and sisters, please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in.
May God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. Rest in peace with our other fallen Brothers and Sisters. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Florida Deputy Sheriff

TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER STRICKLAND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. OFFICER STRICKLAND DIED DOING WHAT HE PROMISED, PROTECTING AND SERVING HIS COMMUNITY. HIS DEATH NOT ONLY HURTS YOUR FAMILY BUT ALSO THE NATIONS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY.
OFFICER STRICKLAND, YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN AND YOU WILL BE REMBERED AS A HERO. ONLY THE BRAVEST PIN A STAR OR BADGE TO THEIR CHEST AND PROMISE TO SERVE AND PROTECT AS YOU DID TODAY.
AS YOU WALK HEAVENS BEAT LOOK DOWN UPON YOUR BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S AND PROVIDE US THE STRENGTH AND SAFETY TO CARRY ON.
TO THE FAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT, YOU WERE HIT HARD TODAY BUT YOU DID NOT BREAK. SMALL DEPARTMENT'S ARE A TIGHT BUNCH AND YOU ALL WILL OVER COME THIS SENSELESS ACT.
TO DISPATCHER MEALER AND FAMILY, MY THOUGHTS ARE ALSO WITH YOU. DISPATCHER MEALER AS YOU DISPATCH GOD'S OFFICERS TO A SCENE OF PARADISE MAY YOU PROTECT THE OFFICERS HERE THAT CARRY ON.

DEPUTY CHARLES T BURGDORF
ROCKBRIDGE CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE VIRGINIA