Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking about you today! I miss you so much and wish I had been somewhwere else that day. You will always be in my heart as the funniest cop I will ever know. Rest in peace hero....!

Sergeant Derwin Boggs
Port Orford Police Dept

December 23, 2009

Officer Simpson, You seemed to have led a life dedicated to public service. Thank you. God Bless you and your family.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE/PUT

December 22, 2009

I cannot believe it's been six years. Had a funny memory of you the other day from an old City Christmas party where you and Forrest put on reindeer antlers and another Officer came out of the bathroom with toilet paper trailing from his pants (on purpose). Good memories, still miss you!

RESERVE OFFICER/OFFICE SPEC RACHEL PANTE
BANDON PD

December 21, 2009

From Officer Simpson's photo, I have no doubt that he found great joy in life, his family, and his calling as a policeman. My prayer is that his loved ones have held on to that legacy of joy and maybe even shared it with others as a fitting memory of this great man.

Angel in AL

July 23, 2008

Officer Simpson, thank you for your service and dedication. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

March 5, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 10, 2008

On this 4 year anniversary of your EOW, we are thinking of you, your family and co-workers. Thank you for your service and you will not be forgotten.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

December 22, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service as a police officer and a firefighter, you are certainly a hero just by the professions you chose.

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, nh

December 21, 2007

I AM THE WIFE OF A BANDON POLICE OFFICER, AND VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER. I LIVE IN BANDON, AM A PAST DEPUTY FOR COOS COUNTY AND I CURRENTLY DISPATCH FOR THE BANDON POLICE DEPARTMENT. I DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET RUSS. HOWEVER, TO THIS DAY I STILL HEAR GREAT THINGS ABOUT HIM. IT IS ALMOST AS IF HE WERE STILL HERE WITH US. I DON'T BELIEVE HIS HEROISM WILL EVER BE FORGOTTEN. HE LEFT BEHIND A BROTHER WHO IS AS HONORABLE AS HE WAS, AND A REPUTATION TO LIVE UP TO.

KARLI ZUNINO
COOS COUNTY SO

October 25, 2007

Looked you up on here finally today. I'm needing some inspiration on what to put on your memorial, a permanent structure down where you lost your life. A permanent reminder that you truly are gone. I think Forrest and I have dreaded coming up with something, stalling, hoping that it's not real. But it's time, the community deserves their Russ Simpson memorial that they so diligently raised funds for. And you deserve to be remembered so that others will take notice and possibly be more cautious around the ocean. I know mistakes were made by others and people point the blame, but all that truly matters is that you went to Heaven doing what you loved to do, help others. You are missed, everyday, but I know you watch over us. God Bless you Russ.

Rachel Panter
Bandon Police

June 18, 2007

Three years have passed since you the Hero were brought home on your Shield. I know the tears still flow from the many broken hearts of those that love you and miss you dearly every day. Some people say it feels like only yesterday that you were here, but for those that are very close to you it seems like an eternity since they felt your touch, saw your smile, heard your laugh. You are a true hero Officer Simpson and heroes never die. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 25, 2007

thank you for your sacrifice....never forgotten

December 22, 2006

RIP

December 22, 2006

Thinking of you on the 3rd anniversary of your death.
Thank you for your many years of service and know
that time has not diminished your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

December 22, 2006

OFFICER RUSSELL HAYDEN SIMPSON IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO, HE WAS WILLING TO GIVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE A LITTLE BOY,GOD BLESS THIS OFFICER AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.R.H.SIMPSON WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTON.

LT.CAROLLO
NYPD

November 5, 2006

To save a life, You gave your life. There can be no greater sacrifice, no greater love, and no greater respect given to any man than that which you have shown. May God bless you and keep you, because you are surely by his side, with wings of blue and a halo of gold.

Officer's Son/ Dispatcher

July 28, 2006

After giving your life to public service in the fire department, you gave more by becoming a reserve police officer.

You truly are a hero.

Detective
Anne Arundel County Police, MD

July 25, 2006

Hey Russ!! Just stopped by to say "HI" I miss you and think about all the times we had in the feild. God bless you my Brother in Blue.

Officer Derwin Boggs
Port Orford Oregon Police Dept.

June 30, 2006

Your actions were the Heart of Police work. My father said he wore the uniform to help save lives, you lived up to that ideal. You are a Hero in my book. God bless you and your family.

Michael W. McCurry
Son of Oregon Fallen Officer Aubrey McCurry

June 17, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to This Officer, as well as the Family, Friends, Department and Community.

This is a loss that will never be forgotten. Hours will turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years but, the difference that these officers have made will last forever.

We lost Our Deputy Morris Taylor on September 14, 2002. When he joined the other Angels in Blue.

God Bless Our Law Enforcement Officers and Those Who Love Them.

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Former LEO/U.S.M.C. & Wife in Sutherlin, Oregon

May 22, 2005

Looking at your photo, I would guess that you were a happy, full of life & loving person, and if you had to risk your life all over again to save that little boy, you would have. HERO! God bless you, hero! Rest in peace.

Michigan

May 20, 2005

Russ,
You are my dear friend and commrad. I will miss the many laughs we shared and the advise on life you were always willing to give. I will miss all the times were shared on and off the job. You dedicated your life to doing what you loved to do and that was help people. I am honored to say you were my friend and Brother in blue. You touched many lives and were loved by all. Keep the streets of heaven safe my friend, you will be missed but never forgotten.
your friend, K9 Officer Gil Datan

K9 Officer Gil Datan
North Bend Police

January 4, 2005

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.

December 22, 2004

You are an excellent example for all reserves and cadets everywhere. Thank you for your devoted service, rest in peace, take care.

Cadet Chris Thelin
Independence Police Department, Independence Oregon

August 17, 2004

You fought the good fight and acted with courage and dedication. I know you are in a better place. Just know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and you will live forever in our memories......

Officer Shawn Chase
Coquille Tribal Police

May 25, 2004