Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless you Brother in Blue.
You have served your community with pride and dignity.
You shall not be forgotten.

Sheriff Steve Brown
Lunenburg/Queens Co. Sheriff's Office, Bridgewater, N.S., Canada

January 5, 2004

it is difficult to find words for such a great loss and trajedy except to invoke an old Irish blessing for what it is worth .
'May his soul be onto the right hand of God '

Garda Kenneth Harrington
An Garda Siochana, Ireland

January 5, 2004

"People sleep peaceably in the their beds at night only because tough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Steve Robinson, Seal Team One, 1971-1973

First Sergeant J.L. Slaughter
Radford City Department of Police

January 5, 2004

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

To the family of Sgt. Russell: Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time. May GOD bless each of you and comfort you in the time to come.

Columbia, TN Police Dept.

January 5, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Larry, you are a true hero and you will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

January 5, 2004

It's been a long time since you and I play street football, you were five years old, Iv'e watched us both grow into adulthood, our lives will for ever be tied togther, love of family and the badge. God bless you, Athens will never be as bright as when car 35 ran her streets.
Ronald Ultz, Sec/Tres FOP, brothernlaw

Secretary/Tresurer
Alabama State Fraternal Order Of Police

January 5, 2004

No amount of training could have prepared you for what happened. Just know that you are a hero and your department and family will be in my prayers.

Officer Burgess
Hartselle Police Dept. Alabama

January 4, 2004

As you look down from heaven, know that your family will be taken care of by the same community of Athens, Alabama that misses you so much. We miss you Larry.

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

Larry, may you rest in peace. Your love and respect for others will be missed, but not forgotten. You were truly a credit to the Athens Police Department and the citizens of Athens. Thanks for being a friend and colleague.

God bless your loving wife and kids.

COI Terry Raybon
AL Dept Of Corrections

January 4, 2004

Our deepest condolences for the family and friends of Sergeant Larry Russell.

109th Police Academy Class, Austin Texas
Austin Police Department

January 4, 2004

Rest in peace our brother in blue. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family and the Athens Police Dept. God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Bravo Team
Chattanooga Police Dept., TN

January 4, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Larry Russells friends and families. You are now watcvhing over us from a better place.

Deputy Matt Wassum
Limestone County Sheriff's Department

January 4, 2004

Rest in peace, Brother.

Special Agent
FBI Denver

January 4, 2004

I remember Larry when I used to work reserve at the PD, he was a fun loving person. He was a great cop, I was at many situations and he was always the professional lawman. Rest in Peace brother.

Stanley Glass
EX-Reserve Athens, AL Police 1993-95

January 4, 2004

May God Bless your family during this time of tragic loss.

Patrolman Robert C. Pettit
Hartselle, Alabama, Police Dept.

January 4, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

January 4, 2004

I am shocked by the news. Words cannot express my anger. I know that death is a normal part of life, but i don't understand why it has to be so hard. I am so sad for you all.Please accept my sincere condolonces. May God bless you all.

Teresa Gosss
Shadco. Jax.Fl

January 4, 2004

God bless you and your family for your sacrifice. Rest in peace my brother.

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Russell-
May God bless you all during this tragic time.

Dispatcher
Cullman Police Dept

January 4, 2004

Once again, a brave hero and honored member of the police family is snatched from our midst by a coward with a gun and no conscience. Sergeant Williams and Officer Mims performed their duties honorably and courageously! The citizens of Athens, AL should be proud to have had these heroes working and living in their community! To the family of Sergeant Williams, please know that your loved one's sacrifice will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brothers and sisters of the Athens, AL P.D. Hopefully the judicial system in Alabama will deal justly and swiftly with the coward who brought about this tragedy.

Sergeant Scott Robinson
Metro Nashville-Davidson County, TN P.D.

January 4, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS THE BOTH OF YOU.

DEPUTY CONSTABLE MARCUS SUAREZ
HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 5

January 4, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Larry did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Larry be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Sergeant Russell'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 Larry 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 Larry 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 say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

January 4, 2004

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 Sergeant Russell 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

January 4, 2004

May GOD watch over your family in this very difficult time,and help guide your fellow officers through their grief.As a neighboring agency we mourn your loss as well as everyone you have touched threw your life.Thank you Sergeant Russell for the job you did for us all.

Deputy Laurie Gist
Lauderdale County Sheriff Department Alabama

January 4, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Sgt. Russell:

I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God gives you comfort and strength in the weeks and months ahead.

I know the loss you are feeling and that there are no words that will make this pain any less. I lost my dad, Ptl. William B. Bell, on 11-19-02. He died in service to his community at the hands of a repeat offender who tried to use his "disability" as an excuse for his actions, and so I know the pain that such a senseless crime can cause.

You will find that this law enforcement family is like no other. You will receive such love and support, and it will help carry you through this. When my dad died, the love and support from my dad's co-workers and friends and from our community was overwhelming. I never realized how much the LIFE of my father affected so many people than his death did. It was truly beautiful to see that his life and his service did not go unappreciated or unnoticed. And you'll find that your loved one will have made a similar impact on the lives of SO many people. The love that you shared with him and the service he gave to his community will be of great comfort and pride.

Again, I am sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell
EOW 11-19-02

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell EOW 1-19-02

January 4, 2004