Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Goodwin's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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 Robert 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 Robert 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)

April 19, 2004

On behalf of the Pittsfield Police Dept., we offer our condolences to the family and friends of Dpty. Goodwin. God Bless.

Officer Rodney Minoty
Pittsfield Police Dept. ME

April 15, 2004

To the Goodwin family, friends, and the Clarke County Sheriff's Department. You have lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has one more shining star. Our thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Deputy Goodwin for all you have done for your brothers and sisters; rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

April 14, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Robert Goodwin. We can identify with your pain and loss as we also, lost our son last year on this very day while working for Broward Sheriff's Office in Florida. May God's loving arms be around you.

Jim & Thelma Billings

April 14, 2004

My sympathies to all who were affected by this tragedy. Rest in peace..............

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

April 13, 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

April 13, 2004

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF DS ROBERT GOODWIN.

Anonymous

April 13, 2004

Enjoy your new assignment, guarding the heavens with St. Michael.

I pray that your family and Deparmtent knows that God will be with them.

It is sad knowing another Brother Deputy has been called from this earth.

Deputy
Ingham County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

April 12, 2004

God must have needed another guardian to help him watch over our brother's and sister's.
Our prayers are with your family and friends now that we know your end of watch has come.

Deputy/2nd Vice President Jerald Hicks
McDowell Co. NC Sheriff's Office/F.O.P.

April 12, 2004

Deputy Goodwin, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace brother...you will be missed. I will pray for your family and the department.

Romans 13:1-4

P.O. Kowalik
Harper Woods PD, MI

April 11, 2004

God bless you and your family. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

April 11, 2004

Deputy Goodwin, may God Bless you and your family. You will not be forgotten. May you now Rest In Peace My Brother!! In Valor There Is Hope!

Officer Rich Cheatham
Va Beach Police Dept

April 10, 2004

Yet another hero has been taken from us too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Goodwin. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time. Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

April 10, 2004

Dep. Goodwin,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only hope to be as strong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department. RIP.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

April 10, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, A hero dies but one.


May God be with Deputy Goodwin and his family in their time of sorrow.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

April 10, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 10, 2004

God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

ACooper
Emt

April 10, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Robert, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Anonymous

April 9, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Robert Goodwin… and the Clarke County Sheriff's Department… our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Robert ... 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

April 9, 2004

To Deputy Goodwin family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you


God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

April 9, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Goodwin, and God bless you all. May you rest in peace Deputy, and thank you for a job well done.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure, EOW 08/06/02

April 9, 2004

I visit this site every day and Pray there is no new names. My heart sank yet again today as I saw the number go up. To the family and friends of D/S Goodwin, and the CCSD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today. Rest in peace brother your work on earth is done; You are now 10-42, go patrol the highways of heaven and guide us all to protect and serve others safely. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, Florida

April 9, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Deputy Goodwin.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven. Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

April 9, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Deputy Goodwin and to all the personnel of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

April 9, 2004

My condolence to the family, friends and members of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

April 9, 2004