Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

November 2, 2004

Toby,
We miss you so much we miss your jokes and times when you were being serious that got us laughing. I am glad you held Brianna that week before.you did a wonderful job being a police officer Miss ya

Jennifer Dirickson
sister n law

September 11, 2004

I will always remember the last time I saw you and the smile on your face when you had pasted the test and you had your badge in hand. You was the happiest person in the world. I wish you could have enjoyed your dream alot longer. You will always be remembered and deeply missed. We love you and your wife always and she will always be in my prayers.
Your cousin Angela

Angela Haywood

May 17, 2004

Toby you are the greatest uncle ever. Youwere always cool to be around with. You always made people laugh. You were always there when i needed you. I love you Toby.

Dirickson's nephew
Shane Dirickson

May 4, 2004

I worked for the Ranger Police Department about 6 years ago, but I never had the pleasure to work with Ofc. Dirickson. To his family, I say I am sorry, and you are in my prayers. To his fellow brothers at the police department, I say the same. It is a tragedy to know that something like this had to happen in such a small town, and that makes it even harder. Ofc. Dirickson, God Speed and God Bless you for the ultimate sacrifice you have given. You are a true hero to us all.

Sgt. James G. Wills
Vernon Police Department

April 18, 2004

First, Thank You for allowing reflections on your site :)....I wanted to share a little about Toby....he joined us in a Christian Chat for several months....His witness shined for his Saviour.....I became acquainted with Toby and his wife...besides sharing God's love with others, you could tell these two were crazy about each other.

To hear of Toby's accident on the news was tragic....He enjoyed his career, his life with His love, and sharing in our chat about the Lord. He always had encouragement for the teens, an ear for someone sharing a problem, and a laugh to share with our chatters :). He was fun to chat with, we teased him about not sharing the computer with his wife! Just a blessing to be around them both!

Mrs. Dirickson~~no words can begin to ease the sorrow of your deep loss....but I know and trust that our Lord will bring you through this...please know that you are in the prayers of so many who care.....Toby will always be remembered in so many hearts that he touched....I know his family is very proud of him and missing him....He is truly missed in our Christian chatroom indeed. Several shared awesome testimonies of how Toby encouraged them with the positive things he always had to say. And I know that Toby would want each of his friends and loved ones to know He loved you each dearly.

I dedicate this poem I found from online.....to His memory....

Night falls, but day dawns to replace it...
Grief comes, but time will ease the pain...
Life ends, but death cannot erase it...
In memory, love always will remain.
There are those whose lives death cannot diminish.
Their love radiates forever in the hearts of friends and loved ones, and their light shines on in the lives they've touched for so many years.

may our Lord bless each of you who reads these reflections, our prayers are with you who have lost dear loved ones....

may the Lord be glorified in our hearts and lives....
(((((Mrs. Dirickson))))) you are in my prayers!
nHim, snow

Snow
A friend

February 18, 2004

Toby, I just wanted to say that it was an honor, being your brother and your partner on the street as well. The short time of being the officer that you was, inspired me to be the officer that I am today and to continue my job on a daily bases. You had a great determination about you that was an inspiration in many lives and I pray everyday that God gives me a double portion of the determination that you had to make everyday worth while.

Patrol Officer Brian Dirickson
Eastland Police Department

February 6, 2004

I would first like to extend my heartfelt sorrow to Officer Dirickson's family and friends. I am a member of the Police Unity Tour-Virgnina. This year I will wear a memorial bracelet bearing the name of Officer Dirickson. We will ride 250 miles to Washington D.C. and meet up with the other Police Unity Tour chapters at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. It is an honor and privilege to ride for Toby.

In Valor, There Is Hope

Detective Tom Shattuck
Virginia Beach

February 1, 2004

Thank you for your service. It is hard to believe that standing on the side of the road directing traffic would be the most dangerous job, I am sorry you had to go when you did. As a fellow officer I understand the dangers of the job fully, however it always hurts when someone leaves too soon.

Mrs Dirickson- I am so sorry for you loss. I share a loss with you that only a wife who loses a husband can share. I also know what it is like to sit at home and listen to the scanner as you hear the officer down call, or to get that knock on the door, and know it isn't good news when their eyes are all red from their own tears. I remember trying to call my husbands nextel, and not hearing an answer, not knowing he was already in the helicopter on the way to the hospital. Then saying good-bye at the funeral, and seeing all of his coworkers standing in the uniform that you dropped off at the drycleaners so many times... And just wishing he was standing there too.

People say it gets easier to deal with, but it doesn't. Three years later I am just now learning that life happens, and all you can do is happen with it. The sadness doesn't get any easier and the love never fades away. Life just happens around you, and you move along with it. I too am an officer, and I live everyday knowing it might be my last, but the fear isn't as great knowing that I may be so lucky to meet my husband and creator at the same time.

I have read some of the reflections you have left on other pages, and you are truely a woman of steal to be writing only 2 months after your loss. You are an angel.

Good luck to you-

January 19, 2004

You are in my prayers. I pray for the family of this officer. As the rest of us note his passing and move on, they are left to deal with all the ramifications of his loss. The holidays will always be the time that he left them, tempering their joy of the season. I can only hope that time, the support of family and friends, and the memories of happy times with their officer will help to heal their pain. The feeling of loss may never go away, but I hope that some day they will be able to think of their officer with love and not hurt.
I hope that all possible supposrt is being given them, and that they have been contacted by Concerns of Police Survivors-it's a good outfit.
Your officer did not lose his life-he gave it in service, and he will always be honored for that.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

January 3, 2004

Rest in peace brother, We will pray for you and your family.

SGT (RET)
NJ DOC SOG K9 UNIT

January 2, 2004

First of all i would like to say "thank you" to everyone that has left something on here, sent a letter, or all the many other things i have received. most people would tell you that law enforcement is a dangerous job. i never listened. I was always afriad when there was a domestic call or when i heard dispatch say use caution with someone. My husband was a little man but his size never mattered to him. He wanted to be a policeman, he wanted to make the small town we lived in a safe place for everyone. i never thought that directing traffic would be the worst thing that he could do. I just want to say to all the officers that read this "To be careful out there and watch out for other drivers andbe careful so you can go home to your family" GOD BLESS

Dirickson's wife

January 1, 2004

I dont know how to start to say so many great things about my best friend. I find it hard to think about him and his wife at times. Or the look in his eyes we where best of friends his wife and mine we where all like little kids at dinner or the movies or just playing video games. Toby was a true friend not one to make fun of anyone. I miss my friend we would always be doing something weather shooting or just talking. Its hard to think that my wife had talked to Toby on the cell phone when he was on a D. W. I stop that night looking for his wife. I didnt talk to him then but I wished now I had I knew he was tied upon that stop. Its hard to belive a few hours later I would respond to his accident where I never left his side I held my Toby's from the scene to the hospital. As I always told Toby I would stand by him no matter what,we where best friends.

FireFighter Roy G. Squyres
Ranger Fire Department

December 21, 2003

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Dirickson.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him, I am certain that he has earned his seat in heaven. Rest in Peace my friend, those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin, blue line.

Anonymous

November 27, 2003

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Officer Ray Dirickson. It is with a sad heart that I write this reflection. Rest in peace my brother, for now you will walk the final beat with our Lord on Heavens streets.

T.G.Vincent patrolman
asheboro police dept

November 16, 2003

Rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

November 14, 2003

Thank you for all that you did to serve your state. God Bless you and your family in this time of great depression.

SRA Chad Buenger
U.S. Air Force

November 13, 2003

Texan, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we!

REt Officer RB Wade
Richmond,Va Police

November 11, 2003

We are truly saddened at Toby'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

November 11, 2003

Our hearts go out to the Rander police Department. Something like this always hits hard especially for smaller agencies. May god bless you and your family. I would like to share this poem that was passed down to me:

WE HAVE THE WATCH

For many years
this officer stood the watch...


While some of us lay about at night,
this officer stood the watch...


While others of us were attending schools and,
yes, even before some of us were born,
this officer stood the watch...


As our families watched the storm clouds of public decay
brewing on the horizons of his community,
he stood the watch...


Often he would look at his family
needed his guidance, but he knew he must stay because,
he had the watch...


For many years he stood the watch so that we
and our community could sleep soundly
in safety knowing that this officer would
stand the watch.


Today we are here to say...


"The watch stands relieved..."


Relieved by those you have led, guided, and trained...


OFFICER!
"You stand relieved...
We have the watch."

Lt. Greg Minton
Leander Police Dept. (Texas)

November 11, 2003

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF PO TOBY RAY DIRICKSON.

Anonymous

November 11, 2003

Thought and prayers are with you.

Detective
Lacey Police Department

November 10, 2003

So young to die...so unfair! I am thinking of you and your family. My thoughts are with your friends and fellow OFficers.

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Dept. Louisville KY

November 10, 2003

To my fellow Brother:

May you rest in peace. We all know that you will guide us and protect us from above. Your memory will live on forever. My prayers go out to you and your family. May God Bless you and your family.

Special Agent
Department of Homeland Security

November 9, 2003

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER DIRICKSON, HIS
FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

November 8, 2003