Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family friends and co-workers of agent loftus my deepest condolences. A year ago on the 28th of may 2003 my nephew was taken from us. he was an officer with the chesterfield county PD in Va. so many of our heros are being taken from us. but we will never forget them. their,s was a call to duty to protect and serve. our nation is great because of officers such as agent loftus and p.o. Cappelletty and countless others who have laid down their lives in service to their communities. rest in peace sir you will never be forgotten.

William Burkholder
Uncle of Ryan Cappelletty E.O.W 5/28/03
Chesterfield County P.D Va.

william burkholder
civillian

June 7, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

June 7, 2004

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Agent Loftus' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. 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 Patrick 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 Patrick was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Agent Loftus 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

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 Agent Loftus 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, & fellow co-workers of Special Agent Terrance Loftus my family would like to extend our deepest condolences for your loss. We know that the pain you're suffering is tremedous and that you're not alone. May God watch over all the men & women in law enforcement.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig

June 5, 2004

You have served your country well. Rest in peace, brother.

Investigator
US Treasury

June 3, 2004

Special Agent Loftus, you will never be forgotten. I honor you, your memory, your name and mostly for the ultimate sacrifice you made protecting us all. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Special Agent (Retired)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

June 2, 2004

Thank you for all that you did and all that you stood for. You will be greatly missed by all of your brothers and sisters, who will try to fill the void left by your loss. Sleep well and hold your head high knowing that you did all you could and we will not forget your supreme sacrifice. God Bless.

Hampton Patrolman
Hampton Police Division

June 2, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 2, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Special Agent Loftus' wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. You will never be left alone. We will all be with you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

June 1, 2004

UNDERCOVER
No crisp uniform of honor did he wear
Nor golden badge of glory did his chest bear
Only troubling thoughts of money, guns and drugs
Fighting back the tears as he collected his nightly hugs

In this secret life he chose, he clearly was the best
But his uneasy path was much different then the rest
He knelt in prayer with his family at night
Before he quietly went out to carry on his fight

They kept a scrapbook of his many feats
But his true worth is not captured on these sheets
He knew that he was a soldier in a losing war
And his return to those who love him was unsure

His futile fight to save a city block by block
Resulted one night in that tragic knock
His friends sadly called upon his loving wife
With a tearful message of how he lost his life

One last time his brothers gave him praise
But only half way up Old Glory did they raise
And in the end the bugler played his solemn tune
With prayers that his soul will enter soon

God Bless the Loftus Family, Terrance is in Heaven!

Cpl. Robert R. Heuisler (Ret.)
Maryland State Police

June 1, 2004

Dear Loftus Family and Friends,

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

June 1, 2004

You made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers in the US DEA.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

June 1, 2004

Rest in peace knowing that you did a Job Well Done.......

1942
PPD

June 1, 2004

Rest in peace Special Agent Loftus.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Clare, Mi.

June 1, 2004

Yet the life of another hero is taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Special Agent Loftus. 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
National Park Service

June 1, 2004

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

May God be with Speacial Agent and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

June 1, 2004

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

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

June 1, 2004

Thank you for your years of service. May the Lord watch over and comfort your family in this time of loss. I lost one of my good friend on May 22, 2004 and I know the loss your agency and family are feeling. "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

Rest in peace. Until the last day when we all will be reunited for the final roll call.

Lt. Stephen Jackson
Bicycle Patrol Unit, Baton Rouge PD

June 1, 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

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

June 1, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

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

May 31, 2004

Now you patrol the heavens above; please watch over the rest of us. May God watch over your family and friends during this tragic time.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

May 31, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Special Agent Loftus" family and friends, and to the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Special Agent Loftus, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

May 31, 2004

My sympathy to the family and friends of S/A Terrance Loftus. Rest in peace brother. To the members of the DEA keep up the good work and besafe.

Cpl. Bryan Taylor
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Tampa, Fl.

May 31, 2004