Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Yet another hero has been taken from us too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Verteramo. 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 13, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
concerned citizen

April 13, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to your co-workers, familt, and friends. Another Angel to watch over you all.

N.Dugas,
Sister of PO James Shields,
Buffalo, NY EOW 10/30/02

N Dugas

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

My sincere condolence to the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Verteramo. The price is so high, Eric you will be remembered Brother.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

April 13, 2004

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

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

Anonymous

April 13, 2004

TO:The family;loved ones;friends and department members: 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 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 that 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 that serve you well.AMEN ---***REST IN PEACE*** Sent to you by the father of First Class Officer J.D.Koeppen,Capital City Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen, NJ State Police.

Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

April 13, 2004

Rest in peace my brother.

P.O.
A.P.D

April 13, 2004

R.I.P.Brother, You've done your job well. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Sgt. C. Harrison
H.C.S.O.

April 13, 2004

My family would like to express our sympathy to the family, friends & co-workers of Patrolman Eric Verteramo for your loss. May God watch over all men & women in law enforcement.

Gail M Pabst
aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig EOW 2/16/04

April 13, 2004

Dear Verteramo Family,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please take some comfort in two verses from the Bible: "Blessed are they that 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

April 13, 2004

May you Rest In Peace...

Constable Dave Austin
Dekalb Co. Alabama Constable/K9 Handler

April 13, 2004

Every day I visit this web site praying that there are no new names. Today my heart sank as I saw that the number was higher. To the family and friends of Officer Verteramo, and to the SPD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother.

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

April 13, 2004

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF PATROLMAN ERIC VERTERAMO.

Anonymous

April 13, 2004

Rest in peace brother, god bless your years of service and your family now in thier time of loss

Constable Douglas M. Samens
Osceola Township Police Department, WI

April 13, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Officer Eric Verteramo. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sgt. T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

April 13, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 13, 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.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

April 13, 2004

America lost another hero today, Patrolman Verteramo was on the way to help a fellow brother when he lost his life. Brother go patrol the streets of heaven. to the friends and family please put your faith in God, he will be there for you.

Sgt W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga police Dept.

April 13, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Patrolman Eric Verteramo's family, friends, and co-workers with the Schenectady Police Department.

God bless our brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

April 13, 2004

May GOD bless the family and friends of Officer Verteramo. You are truly a HERO. Thank you,Sir, for your years of service and dedication. While there are no words to help ease the pain that your family is feeling but may they know that they are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone. Rest in peace, Sir.
Shirley Roberts-Aunt of Officer John Logan E.O.W. March 14, 2004

Shirley Roberts-Oakdale,La.

April 12, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of PO Verteramo.

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 12, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of PO Verteramo and to all the personnel of the Schenectady Police 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 12, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS DURING THIS TRAGIC TIME IN THIER LIVES. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY GOD BLESS AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

April 12, 2004

You will be missed Brother. I hope that your family will be comforted in knowing that your new patrol assignment will be to guard the heavens with St. Michael.

We will pray for your family and Department, and know that your fellow Law Enforcement Officers will take care of them, here on earth, while you continue your next assignment.

Deputy
Ingham County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

April 12, 2004