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 Vickie did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Vickie 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 Wax's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to her husband. 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 Vickie 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 Vickie was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Lieutenant Wax 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 7, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Wax. You are not alone. My prayers go out to you. I have visited this web site every day since the death of my niece, Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig (e.o.w. 2-16-04). It hurts knowing that another officer has died in the line of duty.
May God bless you and watch over you.

Kimberly Anderson

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 Wax 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

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Lt. Wax, I send my deepest condolences along with those of the membership of the International Association of Women Police. We know why you put on your uniform and went to work every day. Your dedication and professionalism will not be forgotten. The coward who shot Lt. Wax and the others will face the Ultimate Judge while "The Lou" walks heaven's beat. Godspeed, Vickie.

Officer Donna C. Wright
Purdue University Calumet Police Department-Hammond, IN

June 5, 2004

My prayers are with the family of Lt. Vickie Wax. I was working the night of the incident and pulled over the store security guards father for speeding not knowing what he was facing. Thank you Lt. Wax for your dedication to the job. You will not be forgotten

Officer Scott McIver
Port Barre Police Department

June 5, 2004

II Timothy 4:6-7
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time for my departure is at hand.
I have faught a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith.
JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Rest well my sister in christ.

Lieutenant Keith Bates
Baton Rouge Police Department

June 3, 2004

We shall meet again.

Lt. Ron Cowart
BRPD

June 2, 2004

Seeing the numerous lives Vickie touched shows us she lived every day to the fullest. The loving response from the community shows the return on Vickies investment of the love of Christ into the lives of others.
May all her family grow towards Christ through their time of loss and grief.

Cpl. Duren Boyce
Baton Rouge City Police La.

June 2, 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

June 1, 2004

Thank you for the job you did protecting your community. God bless you and watch down on the rest of us. God bless your family, law enforcement family, and friends during this tragic time.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

May 31, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Wax's family and co-workers. Rest in peace.

Patrolman

United States Park Police
Washington, DC

May 31, 2004

Rest in Peace sister.

Ofc. Steve Martinez
Omaha PD

May 31, 2004

GOD BLESS THE FAMILY OF THIS BRAVE OFFICER AND THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.

OFFICER JENNFIER G. HALL
CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG POLICE

May 31, 2004

Lt., On this Memorial Day we thank God for your years of service. The state of LA. was blessed to have such a servant as you. Our thoughts and prayers are with the department and family.
God Bless & Keep,
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord,
saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Isaiah 6:8

Comm. Supervisor/Chaplain
Lewisville Police (Tx)

May 31, 2004

To Lt. Wax family, friends, and the Baton Rouge City Police Department. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy to you all. You have lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has one more shining star. My thoughts and prays are with you. Thanks Lt. Wax for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

May 30, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Lieutenant Vickie Wax. She has fought the good fight and has now gone to her 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 30, 2004

In loving memory of Lt. Vickie Wax:
Another sad and tragic day for law enforcement. Your death diminshes
us all. Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. It is a
long road to healing that lies ahead, but I know that our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ will extend His mercy and comfort to all who reach out to
Him. There is none greater than He. We don't get to Heaven based on
what we do, but what He did for us!! AMEN! There is now a huge void
that cannot be filled. God be with all those who mourn and may His
promises lift all those with heavy hearts for many years to come.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

May 30, 2004

Lt. Your scarafice will never be forgotten.... My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and department
---------------------------------------

Pride Integity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

When I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life. You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job, I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope of being the one who makes the difference.


- Ofc. Paul Cotter,
Lynn "MA" Police

Ptlm. P. Cotter
Lynn MA Police Department

May 29, 2004

Lt. you paid the ultimate sacrifice for the department and community you served. May god bless you and your family and the members of the Baton Rouge City Police Department.

DEP. ERIC METTEN
L.A.Co. SHERIFF, PALMDALE STATION

May 29, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS WISH TO SENT OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH LIEUT.
WAX, HER FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

May 29, 2004

Rest in peace, my sister in blue.

Deputy Chief Lisa Massey
Sunset Beach Police Department, NC

May 28, 2004

To The Family, Relatives, Friends, and Fellow Law Enforcement Officers of Lt. Vickie Wax,

Officer Bill Howell and myself certainly extend to you our sincere condolences in the passing of this dedicated person so dear to many. In fact, we were able to attend and assist in the funeral service this past Wednesday and we were deeply moved and honored by the hospitality and the openess of the Baton Rouge Police Department.

May you rely on the Lord who extends His mighty arms to comfort and to keep you and all of us. May you rely on Him and His holy angels for protection as well.

In His Name,

Officers Jack H. Lanier, Jr. and William Howell
Longview (TX) Police Department

Officer Jack H. Lanier, Jr.
Longview (TX) Police Department

May 28, 2004

We salute you & thank you Sister for your dedication, faithfulness and sacrifice above and beyond the call. Rest in Peace & know that your loved ones will never be alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshals (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

May 28, 2004

Vickie,
You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. You touched the hearts of so many of the associates at store #1206. Thank you for continuing to watch over and protect us. We love and miss you!

K Crowson
Wal-Mart 1206, Baton Rouge LA

May 27, 2004

Thanks for a job well done. You fought hard to the end. Your comrades will carry the torch from here. Rest in Peace.

Federal Agent Darryl Paul
Department of Homeland Security

May 27, 2004