Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor 1:4

Evil. Who can grasp the heart of man? I pray that the family, friends, and colleagues find comfort during this tragic time.

Darin Paul, Special Agent
FBI Detroit Division

Officer Terry Bennett was not only my partner on numerous occasions while we were in cars, but we worked together as motorcycle officers. We were friends. Terry was a genuinely nice guy. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed help.

I feel honored to say Terry was my friend and partner. I will miss him alot. He is definitely one of San Diego Police Department's "finest"!

Police Officer II Don Cone
San Diego Police Department

Another fallen hero in San Diego County falls, what a trajedy. My heart goes out to Terry's family, friends and co-workers. God Bless.

Deputy Scott Ybarrondo
San Diego Sheriff's Department

I appreciated the time we worked together in Southern Division. It was an honor to know you. God bless your family. Rest in Peace.

Sgt Jim Kistner
San Diego Police

I NEVER KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT TIMES LIKE THIS, EXCEPT WE LOVE YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

DAVID BEASLEY

LT. DAVID BEASLEY
SUMNER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, GALLATIN, TENNESSEE

Rest in peace brother in blue.
The watch is ours now.

God bless your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

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 officer Bennett. May God bless and comfort family, friends, and the San Diego PD.

Greenville, NC P.D.

What a senseless act!!!! I sincerely hope and pray that the justice system does not fail in prosecuting the person responsible for this. My condolences and prayers goes out to Officer Bennett, his family and the entire San Diego Police Department. Rest in Peace!!!!

Immigration Officer Bill Flinchum
US Department of Homeland Security

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of this Officer. May you find strength from God and each other to get through this terrible time. Rest in peace Officer Bennett.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure, EOW 08/06/02

Officer Bennett:

May GOD be with you, your family and the San Diego PD. Thank you for serving your community and your country.
Rest in peace BROTHER!

Recruit Officer William Soper
Indianapolis Police Departmetnt

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 Terry Bennett and the San Diego 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 and friends of Officer Bennett:

It saddens me so much to hear of your loss, especially from such a heartless act of violence. It is hard to believe that something like this could happen so suddenly, and our country is robbed yet again of another good officer. I hope that in the difficult days that lay ahead, you can come together to support each other. God bless and comfort you!
********************************

You helped countless people
As they cried and bled
You saw the worst nightmares
Aren't those in your head

You took on a mission
To protect and serve
Showed kindness to strangers
Some didn't deserve

You saw record hot days
As well as the lows
And alarms that go off
Each time the wind blows

You battled with evil
And fought off dispair
You entertained angels
Were you unaware?

You had many dinners
So rushed and so cold
To be there for others
Through horrors untold

You missed time with family
To answer the call
For the unknown person
You risked it all

You gave us your best years
For not enough pay
Your life was cut too short
We know that today

We cherish each moment
No matter how small
Your smile and your laughter
Were gifts to us all

We take comfort knowing
You now see God's face
Yet beside us is still
This sad, empty place

For a few days at least
The media shows
The grief that engulfs us
The pain as it grows

We all pray for justice
For this tragedy
Nothing can make up for
His life lost, you see?

The public pays homage
To a hero lost
For our safety and lives
We now see the cost

What so many won't see
Past your uniform
Was someone so special
With a heart so warm

People comfort each other
As best as they can
How can we get over
The loss of this man?

Today we say goodbye,
Hero, "Brother in Blue"
You are so loved and missed
We won't forget you!

Thank you for being a true hero...

Once a motorman always a motorman. May your sole rest in peace. Hope you are riding in heaven!

Motor-officer John W. Pretti
Tallahassee Police Department Florida

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 Bennett 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

Another fallen hero. God bless you and your family.

Police Officer
San Diego PD

Just seems like yesterday that you did my 11-82 police veh out on I-8... and now you're gone. I'm completely at a loss for words.

Thanks for all the smiles, encouragement and support. Rest in peace Terry. You will not be forgotten "323M."

Officer J. Cheng
Escondido PD

Words cannot express my grief at this tragedy. Although I didn't know you, you were my brother. Thank you for what you have given.

Field Training Officer David Pastrick
Naperville, IL PD

On behalf of the men and women who work and serve for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Terry Bennett's family, friends, and co-workers with the San Diego Police Department.

God Bless. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

My thoughts and prayers are with Terry's family,friends and theSDPD...god bless

Sgt Rocky Maze
Edmonton Police Service.Traffic Section..Edmonton.Alberta.Canada

Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall be called the children of God. Mt 5.9

Officer Bennett, heaven has a new guard at the gates. God bless you for your service, and your family as they begin to cope with this tragedy. This world was blessed by having you as a protector, and we will never forget your sacrifice. Rest easy Officer.

Haughton
U.S. Army

This is a hard time to wear a badge in California. We have lost 4 officers in two weeks. To Terry Bennett's Family and my brothers and sisters in blue at SDPD may god bless you and keep you. Our hearts are heavy and our tears run for the family we have lost. To Terry, you died a hero we will never forget you. Rest easy my brother, we'll take it from here.

Detective Y. Blackwell
Oceanside Police Dept.

Rest in peace officer Bennett after your selfless sacrafice. Please know that justice will be upheld.

Son of Officer Davis EOW 05-11-95
Seattle

On behalf of the VT State Police, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family and co-workers of officer Bennett. We just buried a fellow Trooper last week and can relate to the loss you are all feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Tpr Jeremy Girouard
Vermont State Police

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 Terry 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 Bennett'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 Terry 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 Terry 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 - EOW (01/03/03)