Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Arnold,
Well the trial has finally came to a end and justice has been served.the guy who killed all three of you got the death penalty.no matter what punishment he got tonight would have been as bad as what you guys went through that terrible morning but atleast now he can never hurt anyone again.now maybe we can all get a little closure and start to heal some .those terrible events on june 7,2003 will always be on our minds.theres not a day that goes by that your not in my thoughts.you were a very special man and it was a blessing to have known you for so many years.before you,crump and ace lost your lives in such a horrible way i was never sure how i felt about the death penalty but i think that when you loose someone you love it starts to change your mind.i do believe this young man got what he deserves,he never could actually get all the hurt that he has caused our small town but atleast now maybe we all can all start to heal.
to the Fayette police department and the family of arnold strickland,
i will continue to keep you all in my prayers,and i pray that now you family and the officers can finally start to heal .
rest in peace Arnold
Thanks for being such a special friend.And thanks for doing your job so great while patrolling the streets of Fayette.You served our town for many years and you loved what you did,you were happy to be a police officer.you touched many lives while on this earth and you have touched many who never knew you since this terrible tragedy.
I miss you my friend

August 11, 2005

justice has been served my friend.....

August 11, 2005

ARNOLD,
THE TRIAL BEGAN MONDAY AND ITS BEEN A REALLY TOUGH WEEK HERE FOR ALL WHO KNEW AND LOVED YOU!!!ITS BEEN A REALLY EMOTIONAL TIME AND IT BRINGS UP THE MEMORIES OF THE DAY YOU GUYS LOST YOUR LIVES.
PLEASE HELP US THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIME.ITS ON THE NEWS AND IN THE PAPERS SO WE CANT SEEM TO GET IT OFF OUR MINDS.
FAYETTE MAY HAVE LOST THE BEST BUT HEAVEN GOT THE BEST.SO FOR THAT IM GREATFUL.

July 27, 2005

ARNOLD,TUESDAY WILL BE TWO YEARS SINCE YOU,CRUMP AMD ACE LEFT US.IN SOME WAYS IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY BUT IN OTHERS IT SEEMS LIKE A LIFETIME AGO.NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT YOUR NOT IN MY THOUGHTS.I MISS YOU MORE THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.YOU WAS A DEAR FRIEND AND NOONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO TAKE YOUR PLACE IN MY HEART.YOU WERE ALWAYS THE ONE I TURNED TO WHEN I HAD A PROBLEM AND NO MATTER HOW BAD I FELT YOU SOMEHOW ALWAYS SEEM TO MAKE IT BETTER.YOUR IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN WE ARE AND I KNOW THAT NOONE CAN EVER HURT YOU AGAIN AND FOR THAT I AM HAPPY.I WILL MEET YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY,YOU WILL BE THE 1SR PERSON I LOOK FOR WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN.WATCH OVER ALL OF US HERE.AND PLEASE HELP US GET THROUGH THE 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND PLEASE HELP US THRU THE TRIAL NEXT MONTH.THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WE HAVE EVER GONE THRU BESIDES YOU GUYS DEATH.REST IN PEACEMY FRIEND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY.I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU

June 5, 2005

Arnold,it`s me again.Sitting here missing you really bad.It`s still so hard to believe that you are really gone.Sometimes life seems really hard to handle without you around helping me thru lifes hard times.But i know someday we will meet again and that will be a very special day.Please watch over us all here in Fayette.We are facing some tough times with the trial coming up in June.I really hope justice will finally be served.Nothing the do to him can bring you guys back but it will keep him from ever hurting anyone else again.I love you and miss you my friend.

April 27, 2005

ARNOLD,I CANT BELIEVE ITS BEN ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE YOU,CRUMP AND ACE LEFT US.MAYBE SOON JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED TO THE GUY WHO TOOK YOU AWAY FROM US.THE TRIAL IS GOING TO BE REALLY HARD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW AND LOVED YOU,SPECIALLY YOUR FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS.YOU WERE ONE OF A KIND AND I CONSIDERED YOU ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS WHOM I COULD CALL ON WHEN I HAD A PROBLEM OR JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO.NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DONT THINK OF YOU,BUT I KNOW YOUR IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE AND I KNOW YOUR WATCHING OVER US ALL FROM ABOVE.I`M GOING THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW AND I MISS HAVING YOU AROUUND TO HELP MAKE THINGS ALL BETTER FOR ME.PLEASE CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER ME.I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY IN HEAVEN UNTIL THEN REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND YOU TRULY DESERVE IT!!!!MISS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS,AND YOU WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

April 17, 2005

Arnold it is so hard to believe it has been almost two years since you and crump made the ultimate sacrifice and that we will never see those beautiful smiles again. Fayette will never feel the same again

April 5, 2005

Arnold it is so hard to believe it has been almost two years since you and crump made the ultimate sacrifice and that we will never see those beautiful smiles again. Fayette will never feel the same again

April 5, 2005

ARNOLD IT`S ME AGAIN JUST A LITTLE NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY THOUGHTS.I SAW THE 60 MINUTES SPECIAL THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE LAWSUIT BEING FILED AGAINST THE MAKERS OF GRAND THEFT AUTO IN THE TRAINING OF THE GUY WHO KILLED YOU.I HOPE AND PRAY THE VIDEO GAME IS TAKEN OFF THE SELVES AND NO ONE ELSE IS EVER HURT THE WAY YOU WAS.I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE COULD TAKE YOUR LIFE YOU WAS THE ONE OF THE SWEETEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET.AS I LOOK ON THE ODMP I SEE WHERE SO MANY POLICE OFFICERS LOSE THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE PAIN OF LOSING YOU IS FELT EACH TIME I HEAR OF ANOTHER OFFICER LOSING THEIR LIFE.I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE COULD HARM ANOTHER HUMAN BEING BUT ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO IS OUT THEIR PUTTING THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE EVERYDAY TO PROTECT THEIR LOVE ONES THEIR FRIENDS AND PEOPLE THEY DONT EVEN KNOW.I TRULY MISS YOU.AND NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT YOUR NOT THOUGHT OF.REST IN PEACE YOU TRULY DESERVE IT.

March 14, 2005

Arnold, just a little note to let you know that you are truly missed and not a day goes by that your not thought of. You was one true friend that will forever be missed but we will meet again someday.Rest in peace you dserve it! You are my hero, but you were long before you lost your life.

February 6, 2005

ARNOLD,
THE TRIAL WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK, BUT HAS BEEN PUT OFF AGAIN. SOMEDAY JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED, THEY CAN PUT IT OFF, BUT THEY CAN'T CHANGE THE FINAL OUTCOME. HE WILL FINALLY GET WHAT HE TRULY DESERVES. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME WE TURN ON THE TELEVISION OR READ THE PAPER THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU GUYS IN IT. THE PAIN OF LOSING ALL OF Y'ALL WAS HARD ENOUGH AND NOW WE ARE REMINDED OF IT DAILY, HARD TO DEAL WITH. THE PEOPLE HERE IN FAYETTE ARE READY FOR THE TRIAL TO START AND BE OVER WITH SO WE CAN ALL BEGIN TO HEAL. BUT WE WANT JUSTICE TO BE SERVED SO WE WANT THEM TO DO WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO DO TO BE ABLE TO PUT HIM AWAY SO HE CAN NEVER HURT ANYONE AGAIN. OUR TOWN WILL NEVER TRULY RECOVER FROM LOSING YOU GUYS,IT WAS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. NO ONE EVER THOUGHT THE EVENTS OF THAT MORNING COULD EVER HAPPEN AND EVEN AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF IT'S STILL HARD TO BELIEVE. DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN, NOT SEEING YOURS AND CRUMPS SMILING FACES PATROLLING THE STREETS OF FAYETTE. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE KNOWN ALL OF YOU GUYS. FAYETTE LOST ITS FINEST THAT DAY AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. (WE LOVE AND MISS YOU) REST IN PEACE, YOU TRULY DESERVE IT!!!!!

CITIZEN OF FAYETTE

January 13, 2005

Happy New Years Arnold...
I just know you guys are going to have a big celebration up there in heaven, as you do everyday. Keep James out as long as you like; hopefully, someday I'll be able to celebrate with ya'll.
I just wanted to say hello to Arnold's family. I hope you are doing well. God bless...
Shani

Shani

December 31, 2004

ARNOLD,I JUST WANTED TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.YOUR IN MY THOUGHTS ALOT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AS THE TRIAL WILL BE COMING UP NEXT MONTH.IT`S GOING TO BE LIKE BRINGING THE TRAGIS EVENTS OF THAT DAY BACK UP AGAIN BUT HOPEFULLY SOON JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.REST IN PEACE ARNOLD AND PLEASE WATCH OVER US ALL HERE BACK IN FAYETTE AND HELP US THRU THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AS WE FACE THIS TRIAL.WE LOVE AND MISS ALL OF YOU GUYS BUT WE DO KNOW YALL ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN WE ARE.
WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY UNTIL THEN KEEP US A WATCH OVER US!!!!!!!!

December 25, 2004

I LOOKED AT THE NEWS PAPER THIS MORNING AND SAW THAT THE TRIAL WILL BE ON JAN.18.I HOPE THAT THE ONE WHO TOOK YOUR LIFE WILL PAY,AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK THE STREETS AGAIN TO HURT ANYONE.WHEN HE TOOK YOU AWAY FROM ALL OF US HE BROKE A WHOLE COMMUNITY`S HEART.SOME OF US WILL NEVER GET OVER THE COLD AND HEARTLESS WAY YOU LOST YOUR LIFE.YOU WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM US WAY TO SOON,BUT GOD KNOWS BEST AND YOU ARE WITH HIM NOW IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE.ARNOLD I HOPE SOMEDAY TO FIND THE STRENTH TO FORGIVE THE GUY WHO DONE THIS BUT RIGHT NOW ALL THERE IS ANGER AND HURT.YOU WERE SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON TO ALOT OF PEOPLE.YOU IMPACTED MY LIFE IN WAYS THAT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW.YOU WERE A TRUE FRIEND AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY.UNTIL THEN I HAVE GOT TO TRY AND LET GO OF THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AND TRY TO JUST REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED.

December 2, 2004

Hey!Just wanted to let you know that you are thought of today.You could never know how much you are really missed here in Fayette.You are in amuch better place and you are safe now so i would never wish that you could come back here,no harm can come to you now.Rest in peace my friend until we meet again.Miss you lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 2, 2004

Arnold,just wanted you to know you are thought of today and everyday.You are really missed here in Fayette,nothing seems the same since the day your life was taken from you!It doesn`t seem fair that you were taken from us,but i guess God needs the best police officers to patrol the streets of heaven so thats why he took you.Rest in peace my friend you did your job here on earth and you did it well.Not a day goes by that your not thought of but you are in a much better place now.Noone can ever hurt you again.We will meet again someday.miss you lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 20, 2004

ARNOLD,JUST A LITTLE NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BEING THOUGHT OF TODAY AS YOU ARE EVERYDAY.I MISS HAVING MY FRIEND HERE TO TALK TO,NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON`T THINK ABOUT YOU.NOTHING IS THE SAME WITHOUT YOU HERE AND IT NEVER WILL BE.I KNOW LIFE HAS TO GO ON AND IT DOES IN YOUR MEMORY.WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY UNTIL THEN KEEP A WATCH OVER US.MISS YOU TWEETY!!!!!!!!!!!

August 23, 2004

ARNOLD,EVERYONE SAYS THAT TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS,BUT I WANDER IF I WILL EVER GET OVER THE HURT OF LOSING SUCH A DEAR FRIEND.YOU WERE A VERY SPECIAL PERSON.AND YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND IN MY THOUGHTS.I MISS YOU MORE THAN ANYONE KNOWS.NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT YOUR NOT THOUGHT OF.I CAN`T EVEN LOOK AT A POLICE CAR WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY THAT HE TOOK YOUR LIFE.MAY YOU REST IN PEACE NOW.YOUR IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY.UNTIL THEN I MISS YOU MY FRIEND.YOU WOULD BE AMAZED BY THE PEOPLES HEARTS THAT YOU TOUCHED WHILE ON THIS EARTH,AND EVEN AFTER DEATH.YOU WAS AN AMAZING PERSON.THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!

August 13, 2004

Arnold,not a day goes by that your not thought of.You are truly missed.Fayette doesn`t seem the same with out you and Crump here.I know that you are in Heaven now and your in a much better place than we are but i can`t help but to wish the two of you were still here with us.I will never be able to drive by the police department without thinking about that terrible day that you,crump and ace were taken from us in such a horrible way.I know you died doing what you loved and that you would lay down your life to protect the citizens of our town.My prayer now is that guy that shot yall will be severly punished for what he did,and that he is never able to walk the streets again to hurt someone else.Please watch over us down here and always know that you will be forever missed,you will never be forgotten.HEAVEN HAS A WONDERFUL POLICE FORCE NOW WITH YOU ,CRUMP AND STAMPS AND ONE GREAT DISPATCHER WITH ACE THERE.FAYETTE LOST TO MUCH IN THE LAST YEAR SOME OF THE GREATEST OFFICERS AND DISPATCHER TO EVER LIVE!!!!THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.WE MISS YOU!!

August 13, 2004

ARNOLD,JULY 19,WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR BIRTHDAY.I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE THOUGHT ABOUT EVERYDAY,YOU WHERE A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND WHO WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME WHENEVER I NEEDED A FRIEND.HAPPY BIRTHDAY!I KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW BUT YOU ARE TRULY MISSED HERE.WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY!UNTIL THEN KEEP A WATCH OVER US HERE IN FAYETTE!!!!TAKE CARE OF CRUMP,ACE& STAMPY.WITH THE 4 OF YALL UP THERE FAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ALOT OF ANGELS WATCHING OVER THEM.AND HEAVEN HAS ALOT OF REALLY GREAT OFFICERS.I MISS YOU ARNOLD,AND AGAIN HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

July 20, 2004

I had the priviledge to meet Arnold while attending a school in Mississippi.

I recall him to be the friendliest of people and had there been elections he would have won the "most well liked and respected" catagory out of the 50+ student class. He just seemed to stand out that way, and I was very fortunate to have many meals with him during that 2 week class. It has really taken me awhile to write this reflection because, like so many others, I just felt so sad about his passing.

Emily Dickinson wrote the poem "After Great Pain":

After great pain, a formal feeling comes-
The nerves sit ceremonious, like tombs-
The stiff Heart questions was it he, that bore,
and yesterday, or centuries before?

The Feet , mechanical, go round-
of ground, or air, or ought-
A Wooden way regardless grown, a quartz contentment, like a stone-

This is the hour of Lead-
Remembered, if outlived,
As freezing persons recollect the snow-
First- Chill- then Stupor- then letting go-

Arnold, you will be remembered and we are all proud to have known you.

Goodbye my friend, Bob

Detective Robert Black
Longmont Police Department

June 29, 2004

Arnold, it is hard to express what I'm feeling. All I know is you, James, and I had such a good time that last evening when we ate out. We laughed and joked, it was like we were all three in our own little world. The memory of that night is still with me and the smile from it lives on, if not on my face, in my heart. I will miss both you and of course, my love and heart James. Take care of him for me!

Shani

May 10, 2004

ARNOLD YOU WAS ONE TRUE FRIEND YOU WILL BE FOREVER MISSED.I THINK OF YOU EVERYDAY.KEEP A WATCH OVER US.IWILL NEVER FORGET YOU.

Anonymous

March 3, 2004

Arnold, thank you for all you for the many years you spent protecting and serving all of us. We will never forget the sacrifice you made. I know that we will meet agian someday.
Rest easy, you will not be forgotten.

Deputy Brad McDonald
Fayette County Sheriff's Dept., AL

November 27, 2003

Arnold Strickland gave his life for you. A Quite,gentle man,he was my friend and partner who devoted his life to the job. He knew all to well the dangers he faced. Every day when he pinned on the badge,he knew the risks involved. The badge and what it stood for was his life. Arnold and I often talked about this profession we chose,or did we choose it? Maybe it was chosen for us. We both believed it was.
"Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend."
Thank you,Arnold,for the many times you covered my back on the job. Thanks for the laughter and especially for the letter about my K-9 partner's death. She loved you too. Your closing words about Daisy being a dedicated cop apply to you,as well.
Tonight,when you lay down all safe and sound in your bed,please think of Arnold,say a prayer for him and remember it is because of him and thousands of Police Officers like him that you are able to lay your head down and go to sleep in peace and feel safe.
God bless you,Arnold. I know you are at peace with God,and he is holding you tight in his arms.
Goodbye,my friend and partner,I will miss you and carry you in my heart forever.
The world is a better and safer place because of your life.

Officer Thomas T Summerville Jr
Eutaw,Alabama Police Dept.
K-9 Unit

Asst. Chief
Eutaw Police Department

October 10, 2003