Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This is a poem written by a citizen living in the Grant area. It expresses her feelings in the loss of Chief LeMaster.
OUR FALLEN CHIEF

We lost a good one here today.
That's what I heard her say.
We lost a good one here today.
Our loving Chief has passed away.
It should not have happened.
It need not have been.
A teen with gun in hand.
Has killed our chief and friend.

He left his mark on everone
In different kind of ways.
I new him best from walking at the park each day.
As I walked along the road and see him come my way.
He would stop and smile and say
"How are you today?"
Then he would look around and make sure I was okay
And slowly drive away.

Somehow I felt much safer.
He helped to make my day.
I thought about how Grant was blessed
As I went along my way.

It takes a very special kind.
To be a man in blue.
Like fireman, and 911
They're always there for you.

What would we do without them?
Where would this old world be?
To not have those in uniforms
To watch and care for you and me.

We lost a good one here today.
That's what I heard her say.
We lost a good one here today.
Our loving Chief has passed away.

By Natalie Carter
Grant, AL

August 20, 2003

So much experience and knowledge is lost. Rest in peace.

Det. Patricia Hamblin
Wilson Co TN SO

August 20, 2003

Verlon, words could not begin to describe the difference you made in my life and that of many others growing up in Grant. You were always tough when we needed discipline and understanding when we needed compassion. It is sad that many, like myself, never took the opportunity to tell you how important you were to us. We love and miss you! May God bless your family.

Mike Little

August 20, 2003

We are truly saddened at Verlon's loss.
--------------------------------------
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

August 20, 2003

WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN A TRUE WARRIOR LOSES HIS LIFE? I JUST HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS AND THE LITTLE -------- GET WHAT THEY DESERVE. REST IN PEACE AND MAY GOD LOOK OVER YOURE FAMILY DURING THIS TRYING TIME.

TROOPER JAY PERKINS U/580
KENTUCKY STATE POLICE

August 19, 2003

May God Bless You and Your Family and Friends

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Constable Pct 2

August 19, 2003

It was an honor to work with Verlon during the past five years. He had compassion for people and it showed in everything he did. Often in the morning he greeted me with a smile and something to talk about. We've lost not only a Chief; we've lost a dear friend. Verlon left each of us with a very special gift...Our memories of the times we shared with him. Thank you Verlon! You will always hold a special place in my heart. Phil. 4:13
To Verlon's family, thank you for sharing this special man with all of us.

Bethany King, CMCCM
Grant Municipal Court

August 19, 2003

Rest in Peace Chief and thank you for your service. My condolences to your family and co workersT

Off E. Kavanagh
Virginia Beach Police Department

August 19, 2003

God bless you. A hero will never be forgotten. you made the ultimate sacrifice of laying down you life for someone you didnt even know. may you rest in peace, and may your family, friends, fellow officers find comfort in this sad and tragic time.

Anonymous

Verlon Lemaster was a great man to the community and my family. I know his presents will be greatly missed by my father, who has been good friends for many years. Bless verlon and his family for sharing such a tremendous human being.

Anonymous

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Verlon did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Verlon 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 Chief LeMaster's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. 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 Verlon 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 Verlon 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)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

Rest in peace Chief. Thank you for service to this country and your community.

Investigator Ronnie Austin
State Attorney's Office - Tallahassee, FL

Chief LeMaster,

Thank you for your service, 10-42 eternally. Well take the watch from here.

Patrolman
BMPD N.C.

MAY GOD BE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS TRYING TIME.

DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
SUMNER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, GALLATIN TENNESSEE

My deepest condolences to the family of Chief LeMaster and to the officers of the Grant Police Dept. Your community has lost a hero. His 28 years of dedication, leadership and service will not be forgotten.

Anonymous
Honolulu Police Dept.

Good by Good and Faithful friend you will be missed for many many years. For those who did not know Verlon like myself he was a Peace Officer for his community, the Andy Griffin that lot of us would like to be.

Captain Ed Teal
Marshall County Sheriff Department

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 Chief LeMaster 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

Knowing that this day is so difficult....I am so sad we share this commonality. We mourn with you.

Family of Officier Eryk Todd Heck
Allen County,IN Sheriff's Department
EOW 8-15-97

Another hero is gone!!

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten!


In memory of Chief Verlon LeMaster, and all the hero’s, please light a BLUE LIGHT in a window of your home and let it shine 24/7!!

RJF
CPD, NY

Rest in peace Brother .May God confort your familyand loved ones Thank you for your service.

Sgt L Fear
Oblong Il Police Dpt

Verlon was the nicest man I know. He was well known and loved by everyone in Grant. Thank you to everyone who came out to the services. Verlon is a man never forgotten.

Carla(Byrd)Stiefel
Family and Friend

I AM MAMAWOLF FROM THE SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS WOLFPACK FAMILY.
ALL OF US SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE SO WE CAN LAY OUR HEADS DOWN AT NIGHT AND SLEEP WITHOUT FEAR, THEY DO THIS 24/7 AND KNOW THAT DEATH IS THEIR CONSTANT COMPANION, BUT THEY DO IT NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BUT BECAUSE THEY ENJOY WHAT THEY DO, AS FIREFIGHTER, EMT'S, PARAMEDIC'S, ETC.
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ALL OF HIS SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN BLUE.
THANK GOD FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU 24/7
LOVE WOLFPACK FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
LOVE MAMAWOLF AKA
MARILYN ROBINSON

Marilyn Robinson
Support our Officers WolfPackFamily

Rest in peace Chief-

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

It is so hard to read that we've lost another dear brother in the line of duty. We extend our deepest sympathy to members of the MeMaster Family,Friends,Grant Police and other members of The Law-Enforcement Family. Chief Verlon LeMaster Rest in Peace our Brother and Thanks for Your Service . Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Steve & Diane

Sgt.Steve Hunt
Amory PD (MS.)

My prayers and thoughts are with Chief LeMaster's family and co - workers. May God grant grant you the strength to get through this tragic time. God bless you Chief for your many years of service. May you rest in peace, sir.

Captain Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department, NC