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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Lieutenant Hura'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 George 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 George was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Lieutenant Hura 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)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

June 6, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Lieutenant Hura for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

June 6, 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

May 17, 2004

George insisted that "when you are in command...COMMAND" and when you are a leader then LEAD. He was a friend to all and a superior officer and leader. We'll miss you old friend.

Master Deputy Rick Frye
Escambia County Sheriff's Office

May 17, 2004

thank-you lt for your leadership!

Inv Mohan
ECSO

May 14, 2004

Bless You Brother. You have gone to where we have yet to go. You are blessed for now you see Him as He is. Rest in Peace & knowledge that your loved ones are never alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson, U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

May 12, 2004

God bless Lt. Hura's family and may the times ahead be heartfelt with the memories and moments he left in your hearts. Lt. you made the ultimate sacrifice for 27 years thank you for the devotion and rest in peace brother but not for to long you are needed on the next watch above.

"Semper Fi"
OOh..Rah

Det. Dillon Murphy
Martin County Sheriffs Office

May 11, 2004

On behalf of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office I would like to express our condulances to the family of Lt. George Hura, and to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. God be with you........

Honor Guard Deputy Todd Sellitto
Manatee County Sheriff's Office

May 11, 2004

Lt. Hura,

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 Escambia County Sheriff's Office. RIP.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

May 9, 2004

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

May God be with LT. Hura and his family in there time of grief

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

May 9, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Lieutenant George Hura, Jr. 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.

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

May 9, 2004

Dear Hura Family and Friends,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. This has been a very bad year for Florida Officers. 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

May 8, 2004

You will never be forgotten We will always be there for the family

Charles Shinholser Chapter Director
Concerns of Police Survivors N E FL.

May 8, 2004

Soar with the angles LT. Hura. Your lifes legacy will live on with those that knew you. I am truly grateful for having known you!!

Wendell Dulay

Special Agent Wendell Dulay
Naval Criminal Investigative Service

May 8, 2004

You served your country and community with honor. Your journey continues with a different assignment, patroling the heavens above. God bless you for all that you have done, now watch over all of us as we carry on. God bless your family and co-workers (family away from home) during this difficult time.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriffs Dept.

May 8, 2004

Semper fi Marine!

Police officer
Gwinnett County P.D.

May 7, 2004

Another conflict over...
Another decade gone by...
Another job well done Marine...
Another Semper Fi!!!

May 7, 2004

George will be missed, it was a honor to serve with him in patrol,K-9,and Investigations. George was a good leader and a good friend. I enjoyed working for him and being friends. We always had good times riding harleys together...gone but not forgotten.

Homicide Inv. Terry L. Kilgore
Escambia County Sheriff's Office

May 7, 2004

Marines and Police Officers are part of a brotherhood that others will never know. Take care and Semper Fi!

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill police Department
Volusia County, Florida

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill Police Department

May 7, 2004

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

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

May 7, 2004

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman
California Highway Patrol

May 7, 2004

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Rest in peace Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Detective Bronson Painter
Macoupin County Sheriff's Department

May 7, 2004

On behalf of the deputy's here at Pulaski County Sheriff's Office our condolences are extended to Lt.Hura's family. May he rest in peace.

Communications Officer
Pulaski County Sheriffs Office

May 7, 2004

Rest in peace LT. You well be missed by "ALL".

Deputy Chris Phelps
Escambia County Sheriff's Office

May 7, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Lieutenant George Hura Jr. ...and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office... our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done George... 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

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

May 6, 2004