Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God bless and keep Ofc Abella's wife and children. May they grow to know the hero that their father was. He will remain in the hearts of the department and community.

Spouse of a St.Petersburg Police Officer
St. Petersburg, FL

April 22, 2004

Rest in peace my brother. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

April 22, 2004

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

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

April 22, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Deputy Abella's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Deputy Abella, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

April 22, 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 22, 2004

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and he said, “I welcome you”.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human they are bound to bring tears.
But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you would not understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one step at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you to;
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain".
And now I am contented...that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low:
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.
I will always be with you!

Anonymous

April 22, 2004

Sending my thoughts and regards to my fellow peacekeepers in the U.S.A.
Deputy David Abella was at the same age as me and it feels so unfair that his life was taken from him. I wouldn´t wanna think about what would have happend if it was me that were not coming home from the workshift. The pain would be enormous for my family so my thoughts goes out to Davids family.

He does not go out without notice.

Best regards from the Swedish Police Academy

Soon to be a policeofficer
Swedish Police Academy

April 22, 2004

To Deputy Abella 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 22, 2004

My prayers and thoughts are with you, your family, and the community that you served.

Officer S.L. Coffman
California Highway Patrol

April 22, 2004

May God Bless you, your family, friends and co-workers. You are missed and will never be forgotten.

God has called you into his kingdom. May your family and friends find comfort in the fact that you are at home with God. May the Lord bless and protect your family.

My friend I know you will be watching over all of us, God Bless you and thank you for the job you have done.....

police officer

April 22, 2004

Deputy Abella,

I am so saddened to hear of your death. I come to this site often, I feel we share a bond that most wouldn't understand. It doesn't matter for whom or where we work, we share the same goals. I pray for you and your family. I also pray for the safety of all of my LEO brothers and sisters. Rest in Peace.....GOD BLESS YOU

Officer
NC

April 22, 2004

Rest in peace brother.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

April 22, 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 22, 2004

Deputy Abella

May you rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and Department during this tragic time.

911 Dispatcher Florida

April 22, 2004

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

May God be with Deputy Abella and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

April 22, 2004

DEPUTY ABELLA

TO THE WIFE, KIDS, FAMILY, AND HCSO, YOUR LOSS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND REASON BUT REST ASSURED DEP. ABELLA WILL ALWAYS BE A THOUGHT AWAY. DEP. ABELLA'S HONOR AND SERVICE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED FOR YEARS TO COME. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OUR WITH THE WIFE AND KIDS. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE GRIEF AND HOPELESSNESS YOU MUST FEEL. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOUR FAMILY FOR THE GREAT SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE. WE WILL HOLD ON TO OUR INTEGRITY AND DUTY FOR DEP. ABELLAS SAKE. REST IN PEACE BROTHER YOUR WITH GOD NOW........

PATROL
TPD

April 22, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 22, 2004

Rest well Brother, We'll take it from here!

Deputy
Brevard County Sheriff's Office (FL)

April 22, 2004

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CO-WORKERS OF DEPUTY ABELLA. YOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE ONLY WISH TO BE AS STRONG AS YOU. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DAVID, YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

police officer
tampa p.d

April 22, 2004

Rest in peace, sir. You will not be forgotten.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

April 21, 2004

God bless you and your family. We need everyone who knew him to keep him in the mind of his children. This is so sad. My prayers are with you. Thank you for all of your hard work in the community.

Anonymous

April 21, 2004

My prayers are with Davids family, friends and dept. during this very difficult time. He will NEVER be Forgotton!!!!!!

In Memory Of Brian Litz
FF/PM Florida

April 21, 2004

REST EASY NOW BROTHER YOUR WATCH WILL BE CARRIED ON AND YOU WILL BE MIISED GREATLY BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY

PATROLMAN SUTHERLAND
COMMERCE P.D.

April 21, 2004

Every time a name is added to this site, a piece of my soul is taken away. After riding with agencies for 9 years from coast to coast, knowing the risk these brave men and women take each day of their career and discussing it constantly with them, it still is never easy when one goes home.

I didn't know David but I wish I had. As a Hillsborough County resident myself, the department has always been one of my favorite to ride with because of officers like David. I pray for his wife and children and family. And for his brothers and sisters on the force who are still in shock.

On behalf of the producers and crew members of the show, all of our deepest sympathies to you all. David and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

God's peace,

Rob Whitehurst
COPS TV 1995 - 2003

Rob Whitehurst
COPS TV

April 21, 2004

Bless you, your family and your fellow officers. You will not be forgotten................

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

April 21, 2004