Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"Acts of courage shape human history. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." -Robert F. Kennedy

Less than 2 months ago we lost my friend Ptl. Mike Hartzell under similar circumstances. I still wake up sometimes hoping that it was all just a bad dream. I can tell you that the passage of time will help. Godspeed my brother.

From the entire Youngstown Police Dept. God bless the Virginia Beach Police Dept. and the family of Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi.

Ptl. Chad E. Zubal
Youngstown, Ohio Police Dept.

To the Wife and Son of Police Office Rodney Pocceschi, our sincere sympathy and prayers go out to you. May God give you comfort and understanding at this time.

Lyndell and Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Deputy Sheriff
Morris Lyn Taylor (Douglas County, Oregon)
EOW 09-14-02

My deepest sympathies to your family and coworkers. Please watch over us.

Anonymous
Montgomery County (MD) Police

Thank you Warrior, and Peace Keeper. Your watch will continue by the others you leave behind. You will not be forgotten. May God grant a comforting peace and closure to your family, and may your son grow up to be as strong willed as you, and proud to be the son of such an awesome father. You have done well. Enjoy your beat in Heaven. God Speed to your next assignment. May you watch over us with pride.

Concerned Military Member
USAF

On behalf of the men and women of the St. Augustine, Florida Police Department, I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of our brother officer, Rodney Pocceschi. His brothers and sisters in blue will carry on the fight that he fought so bravely.

Remember, it is not how Officer Pocceschi died that made him a hero, it's how he lived.

Police Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department
St. Augustine Florida

Police Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department

To the family of Pocceschi I send my deepest condolences. I know your loss is great and may God Bless and guide you through the upcoming days.

Ever since the murder of Officer Zeppetela, Oceanside Police Department, I have visited this site daily to offer a moment of thought for each newly listed officer who's life was lost in the line of duty. For you officers that are not listed here, THANK YOU for living your lives to ensure ours are safe. May God watch over you every time you put your uniform on.

Mario Moreno
Oceanside, CA

Rod, I remember when I met you in Intoxilyser school- You were toting that big "Berwick Bulldog" cup. I thought to myself what our the odds of having a paisan from the Berwick area all the way down here in this class. Though, I know you were not from Berwick-You knew where Lasalle street was.Now-what are the odds of that? I wish I had the opportunity to get up with you at the beach-Maybe oneday we can '25. Until then-Rest in peace my brother. Today, there truly was a tragedy-We lost another police officer doing what he loved to do. My thoughts and prayers are with your wife and young son.To the entire Pocceschi family and Virginia Beach Police Department -I am truly sorry for your loss.

Ofc.T.J.Milazzo
Prince George County Police

MAY GOD BLESS THIS HERO, HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS. MAY HIS INFANT SON GROW UP KNOWING THAT HIS DAD WAS A HERO. A PART OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DIED WITH HIM TODAY. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER IN BLUE. HOPE TO MEET YOU SOMEDAY.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

Officer Pocceschi, you paid the ultimate price and I hope the community and the world understands that. Your tour of duty here is done, but now it is the time to walk a different beat where the rewards are great. Although we never met, you are a brother to me and your family will stay in my prayers. Let me be one to say something that goes very much unheard..........Well Done Brother, well done

Investigator Kevin Purnell
Norfolk Police Department; NPD

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Pocceschi's family and friends.

Watauga County Law Enforcement Auxilliary (NC)

God bless you, your wife and your baby boy. I know that one day he will grow into a fine young man that you can be proud of. I hope he always remembers what a brave hero his daddy was.

A Police Officer
North Dakota

My heart goes out to your family, Officer Pocceschi. There is not much I can say for comfort except that all of your fellow officers owe you their thanks and graitude for working along side them in this dangerous job. You have made the ultimate sacrifice and earned your place in Heaven. You will forever be remembered with honor. Rest easy, friend. We'll take the watch from here.

Officer M.S. Flynn
Norfolk Police Dept.

God bless, warrior. Your time done, sent to a better place. May God comfort those you leave behind and may your family know your heroism. It has touched more people than most will ever know.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

You will not be forgotten! Rest in peace brother.

Fort Lee, Virginia Military Police

Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi
Thank you for your devotion to duty and this community. Everytime I hear of another Officer down it sickens me, I can't understand the senseless bloodshed. Events like this prove that there is just pure evil in this world.

God Bless you and your family.

Inv. W.K. Winingear
Norfolk Police Department

Rest in peace my brother. You paid the ultimate sacrifice and you will not be forgotten. You do not know but you left this world a better place by taking out that animal. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your family in blue

PO II Robert Testa
Norfolk Police Department

May you rest in peace brother, and Godspeed.

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

My thoughts are with the Pocceschi family and the Virginia Beach Police Department. I am extremely saddened by the loss of your loved one. WE WILL.....NEVER FORGET, remember, it is not how he died that made him a hero, it is how he LIVED!!!

SEMPER FI Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi, look over us and keep us safe!!!

Off. Jeff Whitson
Portsmouth P.D.

Our thoughts, and prayers are with Officer Pocceschi's family and co-workers.
God Bless

Off. V.F. Agosto
Chesterfield County Police

Rest in peace, brother

USPP

Rest in peace blue angel. God bless.

Shannon
concerned citizen

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall gently upon your field
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand

May God bless you, your wife and infant son.
You are in our prayers.

Ret/ Sgt AJC
MCSD NJ

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WE PRAY THAT THE PEACE OF GOD BE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME.
NO MATTER WHAT CITY OR STATE YOU ARE FROM, THIS HITS US ALL VERY CLOSE TO HOME. WHEN WILL THE WORLD REALIZE THAT OUR HUSBAND AND WIVES ARE OUT THERE TRYING TO HELP MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US?...I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, WE WILL NOT FORGET

NPD WIFE
NORFOLK POLICE

Deepest sympathy to the family of PO Rodney F. Pocceschi.

Anonymous

Yet another hero has had his life taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Pocceschi. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw, GA