Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Arnold, today would have been your birthday, the "Big 6-0".
I know there would have been a big celebration. I know I would be helping you celebrate. Happy Birthday. I miss you
still; after 4 years. Life is not the same without you here.
Sometimes the pain of losing you is still so raw, and there
is still an emptiness inside, it's the part of me that left
when you died. Sometimes it's almost like I can still feel your arm around me and your calling me that nickname you had for me. I miss you so much. -M-

July 19, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

July 11, 2007

Still missing you really bad.Not a day goes by that your not thought of.Today on the anniversary of your death its still hard to deal with.Love you my friend

June 7, 2007

Your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. May the space of these short two years have helped your family to heal.

Sgt. Mark Hanna, Ret.
Fayetteville, AR PD

June 7, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Strickland on the anniversary of his passing. Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

June 7, 2007

We send our love to Officer Strickland's family & friends on this day-
We also send our love to Dispatcher "Ace"s family.
These anniversaries are so hard to get through-
Please know that we are thinking of you-


The Family of Deputy Dave Grant/EOW/5/31/04
Tuolumne Co.Sheriff's Dept.
Sonora, Ca.

June 7, 2007

Officer Strickland, Corporal Crump and Dispatcher Mealer:
All of your family and friends are in my prayers. Thank you all for your service.

LEO Wife

June 7, 2007

G-d Bless.

June 7, 2007

Arnold I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Heaven. Life will never be the same in Fayette again. Thank You for making me feel safe working graveyard in a convenience store in Fayette. I never realized how much that safety meant until I was robbed of it forever.

friend

January 15, 2007

I hope you are resting in peace.

That guy who killed you and your fellow cop should not have played GTA in the first place.

'Bye, and God loves you.

None

December 16, 2006

Well Arnold, I am doing it again. Only I am taking a stand in my community against sexual offenders. I am on a mission to get the word out. The news has been silent and no one knew that we had a convicted sex offender living in our neighborhood. Loaded down with innocent children and this man comes in. Things have changed since you remember me. Instead of stirring up the wrong kind of trouble I am doing what is right. I have 4 beautiful children have made a wonderful life for myself. I think you would have been proud of me. So look down from heaven and smile. You will always be remembered.

November 6, 2006

Rest in Peace, Officer Strickland. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2006

Arnold,
My friend I miss you more than you will ever know. You guided me in one of my most trying times and you never judged me. For that I will be eternally grateful. We miss you and I know we will meet again. You protected us in life and I know you are still on patrol. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU. Thank you for everything you did for me. Until we meet again.

Billy Ivy
Friend

October 1, 2006

I am not an officer of the law but a friend of Arnold. I knew him when he was a deputy for Greene County Sherrif's department and an officer for Demopolis Police Department. He was a great friend and a good listner. I always remembered his smile and his positive outlook on life. He also worked as a EMT/Driver for Tombigbee EMS. I used to hang out with a few of the medics there. He will truelly be missed.

Angela

September 14, 2006

Still missing you really bad.Fayette hasn`t been the same every since the day that you,Crump and Ace were taken from us.
Heaven is much sweeter now because your there!!!!!
Rest in peace my dear friend.

August 18, 2006

Arnold,
Its been a while since i visited this site but i want you to know you are never far from my thoughts.Its been 3 years since you left us and i miss you just as much now as i did when it happened.You will always be close to my heart.You were a great person,glad to have called you ny friend.

July 20, 2006

A friend is someone we turn to, when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone we treasure, for our friendship was a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives, with beauty, joy, and grace. You made the world I live in, a better and happier place.
I miss you my friend.

February 9, 2006

Arnold,
Just wanted to let you know that im missing you really bad today.
You were one of the finest men i`ve ever met,your love for others always showed.
We will meet again someday.Until then you will be forever missed and forever in my thoughts.

February 9, 2006

It breaks my heart to read the words and emotions that come from both those who knew you and those who didn't have the privilege of meeting such a hero. May God provide strength to your loved ones and let you wrap your arms around them. RIP sir.

January 25, 2006

Arnold, I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Shani

December 18, 2005

Merry Christmas Arnold!!!!!
I miss you more than you or anyone else knows.You really made a diffence in my life.
Love you,
Until we meet again,rest in peace.

December 16, 2005

My wife and I would like to send our belated deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Arnold Gunther Strickland. Thank you for your years of service and dedication. We all share in the loss of losing one of our own. May God Bless.

Officer Timothy T. Royster
Huntsville Police Department, AL.

October 30, 2005

Moore was sentenced to death today, Arnold, and I wanted you to know he's getting what he deserves. Rest in peace, my friend.

Sgt. Vernon "Butch" Hudson (Ret.)
Fayette County Sheriff's Dept.

October 6, 2005

JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I MISS YOU.THINKING ABOUT YOU ALWAYS.

September 24, 2005

Arnold,
Justice has finally been served.All Of us here in Fayette have waited on that day for over two years.Our town will never be the same again without the three of you guys but maybe now we will be able to get a little bit of closure.You will be forever in my heart and always on my mind.i will make sure my kids know how special you truly was.We will never forget the sacrifices that you guys made that day to protect everyone in this town.
Rest in peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 12, 2005