Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Two of Athens finest officers gave there life doing what they loved. I have allways been tought our days are numbered and that our maker had other plans for these officers. It could have just as well been the fire dept. that had the 911 call. These officers of the law will be missed very much. May God Bless And Keep You. The families are in our prayers.

(Firefighter) Bobby Anerton
Athens Fire And Rescue

January 5, 2004

As a member of An Garda Siochana I wish to express my great sadness to hear of so sad a loss , a loss so great . My prayuers are with the family and friens of this fine officer .

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 Officer Mims: 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 Tony, you are a true hero and 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

JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL WITH THW ATHEN'S POLICE DEPARTMENT,THE FAMILY OF OFFICER TONY MIMS,AND THE SGT. YOU ALL ARE IN OUR PRAYER'S. THERE IS NO DOUBT THEY THAT THEY WERE INDEED SUPERIOR OFFICER'S! MAY THEY ALL REST IN PEACE,THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! IN GOD'S NAME WE PRAY AMEN!!!!

PTL.K.G.WATT
FRANKLINTON P.D.

January 5, 2004

Rest in peace. God bless.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

January 5, 2004

I am deeply saddened to hear of another LE casualty. Let it ring from the hills, that these two men did not die in vain. As the last barrier between good and evil, these men fought for our freedoms. May God give the families peace in knowing that heaven holds a place for the righteous. Save me a seat.

Ofc. J.R. Stewart
Atlanta Police Dep.

January 5, 2004

Tribute to a Father

Written Friday, January 2nd, 2004 by Tony Mims Jr. Age 15

My Daddy was a good man and a great father. He always stood up for what he thought was right and he always kept me from wrong, as well as from harm. In the eyes of the world, he may seem gone, but he will always be here with me.

Every time I drive the vehicle he gave me I can feel him beside me protecting me. He loved me with everything he was and I will never forget him but I will always miss him. I will think of him now every time I read the quote (from Gen. George S. Patton): "it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather, we should thank God that such men lived."

I love you Daddy.
Your Son
Tony

Published on the Athens News-Courier 1/4/2004

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

No matter how prepared you were, or how much training you had, nothing could have prepared you for what happened. Just know that you are a hero and that your department and family will be in my prayers.

Officer Burgess
Hartselle PD

January 4, 2004

Tony, you will be missed. Your loving, caring, professional attitude could always be counted on. My love and respect goes out to you and your family. Thanks for serving so freely and so unselfishly!!

Terry Raybon

COI Terry Raybon
AL Dept Of Corrections

January 4, 2004

Our deepest condolences for the family and friends of Officer Tony Mims.

109th Police Academy Class, Austin Texas
Austin Police Department

January 4, 2004

Rest in peace out brother in blue. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the Athens Police Dept. .

Bravo Team
Chattnooga Police Dept., TN

January 4, 2004

Rest in peace, Brother.

Special Agent
FBI Denver

January 4, 2004

I have known Tony for several years, I am so terribly sorry for the family and friends. I was also a very good friend of his and I will miss him alot, just like the rest of us...... to his wife and children, my prayers are with you. He is one of the bravest angels heaven has.

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

I remember working patrol with Tony many times, he always said I need to slow down, I;m in the South now. He was a very fine officer who cared about the people he served. He looked rough and tough but was really a teddy bear.

Rest in peace brother.

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

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

There are no words that will take the emptiness and hurt away. Time will make it easier. I just hope will not be so easy for the scum who took the life of this Officer. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May God bless the Athens Police Dept and Officer Mims family.

Teresa Goss
Shadco. Jax.Fl

January 4, 2004

God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten by your follow officers.

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

Thank you for your service and bravery. May your families find peace.

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

I live and work in Nashville, TN and have family and friends living in Northern Alabama. Hence, I drive through Athens often. It's a great town in a beautiful area of Alabama. I'll never drive through Athens again without thinking of these two fine law enforcement officers, gunned down by a total and complete coward! Neither of these brothers of the badge were rookies...they knew their jobs and the risks, yet they continued to serve, as we all do. To the family of Officer Tony Mims, may it be some comfort that your loved one's supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten. You are not alone, nor will you ever be! You will always be a part of the police family! May God strengthen you and sustain you in the days ahead. To the brave brothers and sisters of the Athens, AL P.D., our prayers are with you as you cope with this tragedy.

Stay Safe!

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

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 Tony did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Tony 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 Mims' 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 Tony 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 Tony 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 Officer Mims 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 guide your fellow officers threw their grief.As a neighboring agency we mourn your loss as well as everyone you have touched threw your life.Thank you Officer Mims for the job you did for us all.

Deputy Laurie Gist
Lauderdale County Sheriff Department Alabama

January 4, 2004