Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May the memories of happy times with this officer help to ease the pain that those he left behind now feel.
Rest easy, Brother; you will never be forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Agent Wyatt'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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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 (01/03/03)

March 15, 2004

I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord be with you in your time of need.

Anonymous

March 13, 2004

Family of Special Agent Wyatt:
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.

Valarie Bell Wright

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell

March 13, 2004

Rest easy. We've got it now.

Anonymous

March 12, 2004

Aufrichtige Anteilnahme - REST IN PEACE

Ret. Detectiv Hans FRIES
Gemany

March 12, 2004

Although we never had a chance to meet, we shared a common goal.
To make the world a better place, but now it's taken a toll.
Now I say to you in words of prayer, I will remember what you've done.
Your death was the ultimate in sacrifice, how tragic that you're gone.
One day we'll meet and talk about our common goal and then,
The heartache that I 'm feeling now, will no longer need to mend.

The Men and Women of the Green Bay Polic
Green Bay P.D. Green Bay WI

March 12, 2004

Rest in peace brother.......we'll take it from here.... your service to the State of Minnesota will not be forgotten.....we pray for your family and friends in their time of sorrow, may god give them the strength to carry on.

"A man has no greater love...than he who lays down his life for a friend" John 15:13

Lower Sioux Tribal Police Dept., MN

March 11, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS ARE WITH SA WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND
CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

March 10, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH."

police officer

March 10, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

March 10, 2004

TO:The family;loved ones,friends and co-workers of our fallen brother officer: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER- O, gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence.Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN Sent to you by the father of Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen N.J. State Polce.

Chief(ret) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

March 9, 2004

May God Bless you and your family, R.I.P.

Master Deputy W. Cornaz
Orange County Sheriffs Office

March 9, 2004

My deepest Sympathy goes out to the Family and Friends of Agent Wyatt.

Ofc. C. Cuellar
Miami Beach Police Dept.

March 9, 2004

SA Wyatt,
God Bless and keep your family....may they find comfort and understanding.
God speed Sir.......

Wife of a Sgt.
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

March 8, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Special Agent Thomas Wyatt … and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension… our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Thomas... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vin and Pook- Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

March 8, 2004

God Bless you Special Agent Wyatt.
Rest in Peace
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, friends and fellow officers in Minnesota.
The watch is ours...

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

March 8, 2004

Dear Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Take some comfort in two verses from the Bible. "Blessed are they who mourn; for they shall be comforted". Matt. 5-4 and "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God". Matt. 5-9.
God Bless

Ofc. Mike Snyder
Coral Springs PD, Florida

March 8, 2004

I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME,
MY NAME FOR ALL ETERNITY.
RECORDED HERE AT THIS HALLOWED PLACE,
ALAS, MY NAME, NO MORE MY FACE.
"IN THE LINE OF DUTY" I HEAR THEM SAY.
MY FAMILY NOW THE PRICE TO PAY.
MY FOLDED FLAG STAINED WITH THEIR TEARS,
WE ONLY HAD THOSE FEW SHORT YEARS.
THE BADGE NO LONGER ON MY CHEST,
I SLEEP NOW IN ETERNAL REST.
MY SWORD I PASS TO THOSE BEHIND,
AND PRAY THEY KEEP THIS THOUGHT IN MIND.
I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME,
AND WITH A HEAVY HEART AND BENDED KNEE,
I ASK FOR ALL HERE FROM THE PAST...

DEAR GOD LET MY NAME BE THE LAST.

Tonya Stephenson
Private Citizen, PA

March 8, 2004

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



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

Anonymous

March 8, 2004

Your service to your community is appreciated by all of us. May God bless you and the survivors of your family. Rest in peace brother.......

Trooper
Pennyslvania State Police

March 8, 2004

We honor the memory of Special Agent Wyatt, with appreciation for his service and sacrifice for the people of the great state of Minnesota.

University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department

March 8, 2004

God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

March 8, 2004

I am very sorry about your loss. The family, agency, and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

Romans 13:1-4

P.O. Kowalik
Harper Woods PD, MI

March 7, 2004

Rest in peace brother in blue!! Enjoy your new life. No more headaches or sorrow. just you and the lord watching and protecting us now.

Anonymous

March 7, 2004