Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy brother the watch is ours now. May God bless you, and youre family.

officer
Atlanta Police

February 9, 2004

The members of the Orland Hills Police Department send our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the family of Det. Rolniak and to our comrades in the Riverdale Police Department. God bless you all as you cope with this tragic loss.

Officer K Wright # 308
Orland Hills Police Department, Ill

February 9, 2004

William, I had many a handcuffed suspect in an office interviewing same, forget the critics.
What do cops think...only Bosco knows.
William, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we!

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,Va Police

February 9, 2004

God Bless you and your family and friends Detective William Rolniak Jr.
Your local community and fellow Officers around the world will suffer the loss of your dedication and service to LE.
To the family of Det. Rolniak May God Be with you always.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton Co. TX. Pct 2 Constable

February 8, 2004

Detective Rolniak, thanks for your dedication and service. My prayers go out to you, your family, and co-workers at the Riverdale Police Department. You are a true hero, God Bless and rest in peace.

Explorer Jason Malson
Woodford County Sheriff's Department, IL

February 8, 2004

Rest in peace, and thank you for keeping the peace while you were here. It will be an honor for me to serve as a police officer because of Detective Rolniak and other officers who paid the ultimate price. His murder is an example that there is no telling what some people will do to others and that we can never repay his family and the officers who risk their lives everyday. God bless his family and all who knew him.

Pat
Baltimore, MD

February 8, 2004

Another brother to watch over us and keep us safe. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

officer
phoenix police dept.

February 8, 2004

I send sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Detective Rolniak. It is sad to say that Wally's loss will forever mark this point in your life. As the inscription on the NLEOM says, it is not how this officer died that makes us want to honor him, it is how he lived. From what I have heard and read, his memory will be something to live up to for a lot of people. The thin blue line has been stretched a little thinner with his passing. It is so disheartening to know that a useless coward took someone from our midst who contributed so much to society. Not only has Detective Rolniak's family lost a loved one, his department has lost its first officer in the line of duty, the Village of Riverdale and this nation has lost another one of the good guys. Godspeed, Wally.

Officer Donna C. Wright
Purdue University Calumet Police Department-Hammond, IN

February 8, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Detective Rolniak's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Riverdale Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Detective Rolniak, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

February 8, 2004

This is a very tragic time. I just want to thank you for being a dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice of protecting all of us. You will never be forgotten and your legacy will live on. Nothing in this world could ease the pain that your family, friends, fellow officers, and community will experience through this time. I pray that everyone will find comfort through this sad time. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

February 8, 2004

I was one of the lucky people to have met Wally and his family. Words can't describe this loss, whether it be from the view of a law enforcement officer or an innocent child. Let's all keep up the fight for right in his, and all the other fallen officers' name.

Officer Stu Hoskins(Retired)
South Holland,IL

February 8, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Det. Rolniak:

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. My dad, Ptl. William B. Bell, was killed in the line of duty on 11-19-02. 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. 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



To Det. Rolniak's daughters:
Don't ever forget how proud your dad was to have had you in his life. Always remember that you both brought him such great joy, and that he will always love you!

Valarie

February 8, 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.

February 7, 2004

May you rest forever in the arms of our Lord. God bless you sir, and your entire family. Remain strong and God will lead you through. Blessings will rain down from Heaven upon you all.

Sr. Cpl. McDonald
Keller Police Department

February 7, 2004

Nothing I can say can vanquish the agony Wallys family is going through. My deepest sorrow and sympathy go to Mo, Wallys children and his Family.
We have lost a true friend and our brother.
Knowing Wally has made me a better Man.
Knowing Wally has made me want to be a better person.
He enriched our lives.
Wally was not only a Heroe in the true sense of the word.
He was a Heroe among Men!
Rest easy my Brother.

Officer Jeff Michalek
Riverdale,Il. Police Department

February 7, 2004

Once again we mourn the senseless, tragic loss of a brother officer, and once again my tears flow. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and with Riverdale PD. The depth of your sorrow, loss, and heartache are felt and shared by all who work in law enforcement. Detective Rolniak, watch over us, and rest easy, my brother. We have the watch.

Pam Hall, Retired LAPD Reserve

Pam Hall, Admin Asst
Federal Way Police Department

February 7, 2004

Wally, you made the supreme sacrifice for your community.
In doing so, you became the ultimate warrior! Rest easy my brother; we will carry on the fight. In pain, we shall develop strength and determination. May your parents, your wife and daughters find comfort in knowing they will see you again some day.

To the Rolniak family and our Riverdale brothers and sisters: You have our heartfelt sympathy. Our prayers are with you all.

Girls, your dad will be watching over you. Just listen to his words... May his unconditional love guide you both. God bless you and your mom.

Detective Bill Kinsella
Orland Park (IL) Police Department

February 7, 2004

You are in my prayers.

Officer S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

February 7, 2004

Another Brother in blue was killed because of a cowards actions. He took the life of a man that took an Oath to help serve the people of his City and keep them safe.
Det. Rolniak Jr. gave the ultimate sacrafice in doing this and I hope the people of his City realize it.
My condolences go out to his wife and children and the rest of his family. My condolences also go out to his family of the Riverdale Police Department.
Rest in Peace my Brother your watch is over, you did your best. Now go and rest and watch over us with our other Brother's and Sister's in blue.
Peace

PTLM. Michael Walker
Providence Police Department

February 7, 2004

Maureen, Nicole and Denise, Mr. and Mrs. Rolniak and extended family and friends, you have our very deepest sympathy and will be in our prayers. Wally was a wonderful man, and he's a hero in the very truest sense. Anyone who was lucky enough to have known him was enriched because of it.

Anonymous

February 7, 2004

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Detective Rolniak.

We here in St. Louis just a week ago suffered a similar loss. I know Heaven is a safer place now that He has called the Detective home to work the Heavenly beat.

Take care of each other and watch each others backs. Stay safe!

Officer Robert Farrow
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept

February 7, 2004

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm"-George Orwell.

It is now your turn to sleep safe Wally in the arms of God for we will stand ready and continue our fight.

I miss you brother, as does the rest of your Riverdale family.

Be assured that as you watch over Mo, Nicole and Denise from the heavens, so shall we.

Officer Michael Horn
Paradise Valley (AZ) Police Dept. (Riverdale PD 1988-2003)

February 7, 2004

Wally, I only got to meet you one time when you released a woman to my custody whom I was looking for and found out she was at your department a few years back. I could tell immediately you were a good man, a good, solid, dedicated cop who loved his job. You made me feel comfortable with your sense of humor as I waited for her release. Ironically, moments after our city council approved a street to be named in honor of our fallen colleagues Ofc. Sean Laura (E.O.W. 092097) and Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Al Brown, I heard the terrible news that a Riverdale cop had been shot. News was sketchy and I didn't know who it was until I saw your picture on the news and thought, "O my Lord Jesus!" Then to hear the details just shredded my heart for you, your family and your co-workers. Having been through it when our department lost Sean, I drove to your department that night to offer my condolences but didn't go in because I felt your co-workers needed time to themselves. It's like being dropped in the middle of a nightmare. A bitter, bitter dose of reality.

So I just want you, your family and co-workers to know you all are in my prayers. There's nothing that can be said to ease the pain or make it go away. I just hurt for all of you. Be strong and courageous and may the peace of God rest upon you, your family and the members of the Riverdale Police Department. Wally, I stand at attention and salute you, not only as a good cop, but as better man and father. You finished the race and fought the good fight. We who are left behind pick up the torch and carry on. You will never be forgotten. God bless.

Patrolman
Markham (IL) PD

February 7, 2004

God Bless you my brother in blue. You're in a better place now. Watch over the rest of us.

Detective L.Argueta
Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit (Utah)

February 7, 2004

May God bless your soul Detective william Rolniak. Your spirit lives on in others. To the family of Det. Rolniak: I can't quite find the words to express to you just how sorry I am for you. I pray for your peace in this difficult time and may your precious memories of your loved one, live on- in everything you think, say and do.

P.O. Nicholas Cortesi
Chicago Police dept.

February 7, 2004