Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth" -Muhammad Ali. William, from your rent here on earth, you have paid for your place in heaven.

Illinois Police & Fire Motorcycle Assoc.

February 18, 2004

Maureen, Denise & Nicole: My deepest sympathy to all of you. I cannot imagine the sorrow that you are feeling, but I hope you know that you are not alone in your grief. I pray that in time your memories of Wally will ease your pain and comfort you.

Riverdale PD: You do a job that is so often taken for granted by those of us who are going about our lives never thinking of the risks that you take to keep us safe...until now. So to all of you (and especially my brothers)...be safe and thank you for all that you do.

Wally -- Rest in peace.

Eileen Farrell

February 16, 2004

Officer Rolniak was my D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer 7 years ago when I was in the 5th grade at Washington Elementary School in Riverdale. My heart sank when I heard of what had happened to Officer Rolniak.

Every day I ride past the Riverdale police station on my way to my high school (TTHS), the same high school that Mr. Rolniak attended years earlier. And every time I've passed the scene this past week, I've felt sad but I can't help but think about how great of a guy Officer Rolniak was, and how personal he always was during our D.A.R.E. sessions. He always took the time to answer whatever questions we had and he always made sure that we knew about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. He was very passionate when he taught us, and for me, the message got through. Because of Officer Rolniak I've been able to live a successful drug-free adolescence.

About half an hour after the unfortunate incident had occurred, I was on my way home from a school function when I encountered the enormous amount of squad cars from all over the area on the scene blocking off the street. I was oblivious to what had happened at the time, but now I know that it was a true show of brotherhood, our finest from all over the area responding to a call of one of their own down.

To the Rolniak family, as a member of the Riverdale community, I just want you to know that we grieve for our fallen officer and we will never forget him and all the unseen ways that he kept us safe for 14 years.

Justin
citizen of Riverdale

February 16, 2004

Det. Rolniak, You obviously touched many people in a positive way. I think the amount of officers and citizens that attended the funeral show how much you meant to your friends, fellow officers and the citizens of Riverdale. Our prayers are with your family.

Sgt. Croft
Dyer Police, Indiana

February 15, 2004

Wally, I am proud to have worked with you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep watching over your family and your brothers and sisters in blue.
Maureen, Denise, Nicole, Not a day will go by when you are not in my thoughts, and especially in my prayers God Bless.
To all of Wallys Police Family, RPD, you are my family, and I ache with you all, I will never forget all the fun times we had with the Binkster. I love you all.

Donald Mollway, Telecommunicator
Riverdale Police 1990-1997, La Crosse, Wi. 911 Dispatch

February 15, 2004

No words can ease the pain of loosing our good frined and fellow officer Walley Rolniak. Just know Wally that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are truly a hero. You will be missed by all!

Commander D. Amsden (Steindude)
Retired Riverdale P.D.

Commander Dan Amsden (retired)
Riverdale P.D.

February 15, 2004

Another HERO is gone!!!

Rest in peace brother. We will continue the fight.

In memory of Detective William Rolniak Jr. and all the fallen heros, please light a BLUE LIGHT in a window of your home and let it shine 24/7!!!

RJF
CPD NY

February 15, 2004

Sir, we now know that you are in a much better place, away from the pain and suffering here on Earth. May you walk the streets of high above wearing your new badge with pride and valor because you are a true hero among us. And to Mr. Rolniak's friends and family I ask that you please remember that you are still a part of OUR family and we are with you always. Our deepest thoughts from all of us here at the Osage County, KS Sheriff's Office.

Your Brothers and Sisters
Osage County, Kansas Sheriff's Office

February 15, 2004

We are truly saddened at Bill'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.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

February 15, 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 William did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and William be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Detective Rolniak Jr'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 William 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 William 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 (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/01/03)

February 15, 2004

I was privileged to have known you, been involved in cases with you. You're a good guy, good copper. Rest in Peace, Brother. Watch over your partners in Riverdale. It won't be the same when Marty and I stop by the Det. office..

Det. John Zalatoris
Chicago PD Area 1 Violent Crimes

February 14, 2004

To Wally, Maureen, and family. And to my Brothers at the RPD. I mourn the loss of Binky with all of you. I regret that I could not be there to send Wally home, so that he could walk a beat in Heaven.

Wally, as we in your Law Enforcement family look after and take care of your wife and kids, May you look down with St Michael and watch over us.

Special Agent John
U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service

February 14, 2004

My family wants to send our prayers to Officer Rolniak's wife and daughters and friends. Back on September 11, 1997 we had to unfortunatly use the Riverdale Police, we don't remeber if Ofc. Rolniak was one of those officers on the scene but if he was thank you. When we had tragedy they were there for us.
My grandparents who lived on West 144th never felt unsafe thanks to all the caring officers on this department.

Teh Westling-Maro Family

February 13, 2004

Thank you all for your prayers. We pray that this doesn't happen to your family. He is a great man, a great father, and will be dearly missed. He is a very loved man. If you knew him than you'd know he was a kid at heart. Love, his wife and children

wife rpd
rpd

February 13, 2004

thank you to all. thank you for all of your prayer's and thoughts thank you to all . wally is a great man and a great father and prankster. he is missed by so many that it hurts us all love moe and the girls i know he out watching us all and if you know him on a personal basis he's allready doing his little things to get us to laugh and cry all in the same breath thanks again love us

wife
wife

February 12, 2004

When I heard of the tragedy I was sick. Not only did I think of you, I thought of your family and co-workers. My thoughts and prayers were with you then and will be with all of those who lost you. I was not priveliged to know you, but I still cried at the loss of you.
Days that followed your tragic moment I was considering finding other employment. However the day we laid you to rest I realized that not only was I going to continue my journey as a police officer, I would try to be the kind of officer many had viewed you as.
Over 1000 officers came to your "grand finale" and even though it was a very sad day, I am sure you were proud when you were looking down on us.

To the family: I could never imagine a loss so tragic. Always know my prayers are with you.

Anonymous

February 12, 2004

Wally,
Words can't describe what a loss I feel for you as friend and a partner of my husband, you always watched his back. Silence is the best I have to offer...................................................

Vicki

Vicki Golden wife of officer John Golden
Riverdale Police Dept

February 12, 2004

God Bless your family Detective.
May he console and support them in these times of saddness and great loss.

Rest in Peace, The Watch is Ours.......

Anonymous

February 12, 2004

We traveled from Missouri to honor a brother in blue. Your department and community laid you to rest in what was the most moving ceremony I have attended in my career. My partner said it was a shame you weren't with us in person to share the moment.
I have found comfort in Gen. George Pattons words " It is wrong to mourn the death of a friend, rather you should thank God such a man has lived". I know this will not take away the grief but hopefuly it might help in some small way.

Sgt. Mike Marshall 516
St. Charles Co. Mo. S.D.

February 12, 2004

REST EASY BROTHER. YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTED TO MANY LIVES ALONG THE WAY. YOU MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY AND CHILDREN AND RIVERDALE P.D., STAY STRONG.
"A SOLDIER IS NEVER GONE UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN"
WE WILL NOT FORGET! BROTHERS IN BLUE!

Deputy Sheriff
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU WATCH OVER ALL OF US AS WE CONTINUE OUR TOUR.

POLICE OFFICER
NYPD - 44 PCT

February 12, 2004

When the days last rays of light faded and I looked, There you were.

You who when all others had gone and the days stress was forgotten, There you were.

When in the night a call came for your help and you ran out into the darkness asking forgiveness from those at home to understand, There you were.

And in the quiet of the moment when all else fades and my thoughts are of you and your family, Know that because you were there so shall I try to be.

Partner,Friend,Brother.

Sgt. Joseph Cicchirillo
Riverdale

February 11, 2004

Who can make sense of such tragedy?
Let there be some small comfort
in the knowledge that our loss
of a Hero
is a gain for the streets of Heaven.

May the family of Detective Rolniak and his brother officers of Riverdale know that in that long procession of silent squad cars were hundreds of fellow officers grieving with you and standing by you.

Detective Christopher Mannino
Park Forest Police Department

February 11, 2004

I was truly disturbed and dismayed to read of your passing. The description of the incident really "hit home" for me. This is yet another example of a hero who lost his life, while trying to make his community a better place, by taking on a real bad guy.

May your family, friends, and fellow officers find solace somehow.

We have the watch now. We wont forget you and we will continue to fight evil so that your sacrifice will always mean something.

Rest in peace, brother.

N.W.
Detective
Mountain View Police Department
California

Detective NW
Mountain View Police Department

February 11, 2004

Wally, I know you looked down from heaven and saw us all yesterday shivering at your grave. Just as taps was being played you opened the clouds and let the beautiful sun shine down on us to warm us. That was so like you...to think of others. I thank you for being a police officer....you made a difference in so many children's lives as a juvenile officer, baseball coach and father. Keep up the good work by watching over each of those children from heaven. You will be missed but never forgotten. Bonns

Captain Ron Bonneau (ret)
Riverdale PD

February 11, 2004