Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Reflections for Sergeant Clifton Rife, II
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Sergeant Clifton Rife II and the Metropolitan Police Department our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Clifton... 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
June 6, 2004
TO your family and friends,
May you find solace in your lost one's life. Remember the good times and bad, and cherish them. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Speed.
Fairfax Officer's Wife
June 6, 2004
To the family and friends of Sgt. Rife, and to the MPD 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 here, 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
June 6, 2004
I was one of the officers on this scene. I wish the news would call these shootings what they are, our brother was murdered not killed. My thoughts and prayer are with the family.
Pfc Walters
PGPD
June 6, 2004
May God Bless the friends and family of Sergeant Rife. My prayers and condolences go out to all of you. I pray that in time you find comfort in the knowledge that he died, as he lived, a true hero.
- An officer's wife.
an officer's wife
Loudoun Co. Va
June 6, 2004
Sgt Cliff,
The day that I met you I made a friend. I was proud to know you and work with you. Thanks for all the laughs even when I was trying so hard to be mad. I know I have an angel in heaven to watch over me. I will never be 10-99 when I patrol because, you will be here in spirit. Sergeant Clifton Rife II you are my hero!! I thank you for not giving up and doing everything you could so no one else would get hurt. I hope you are resting now. Don't worry about the rest of us now it's our turn work overtime. I give my prayers and support to your family and your other friends.
Officer La Tasha Goodwin
Metropolitan Police District of Columbia
June 6, 2004
To the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Rife. I am sorry for your loss. I know that words can not help, but you are in my prayers and thoughts. I check this web site every day and hate seeing another Officers name posted. I know what you are going thru. My niece was Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig (e.o.w. 2-16-04).
God has called another Officer to heaven. May God keep watch over you.
Kimberly Anderson
June 6, 2004
Rest In Peace, Cliff. My heart will always be filled with the fondest memories. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. Yours will NEVER be forgotten!
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 Sergeant Rife 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
My family would like to extend our deepest sympathy for your loss- especially to the family, friends, & co-workers of Sgt. Clifton Rife II. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers from this day forward as we've suffered from similar situations. May God watch over all the men & women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday to serve & protect those in their communities. God bless all of you.
Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04
June 5, 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 badges
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 got just 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."
P.O. Andrew
Chicago PD
June 5, 2004
Dear Rife Family and Friends,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Only a coward would shoot a police officer. Please take some comfort in two verses from the Bibile: "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 5, 2004
Rest Easy Brother Clifton, the Watch is Ours Now and Yours was with Honor. Our Thoughts and Prayers are
with your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.
APD #128
Altoona Police Dept. Altoona, Pa
June 4, 2004
7D will never be the same....may your time here give your brothers strength to carry on your laughter and strength.
It's one heck of a angel on our shoulders!
Ofcr B J Heckman-Sauer
Veterans' Affairs Police, Baltimore
June 4, 2004
My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Rife. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Anonymous
June 4, 2004
Rest in peace knowing that you did a Job Well Done......
1942
PPD
June 4, 2004
Sgt. Rife,
You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only wish to be as strong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Metropolitan Police Department. RIP.
Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY
June 4, 2004
You used to keep us laughing on midnights at 7D, You'll always be in our hearts.
Officer Johnson
MPDC
June 4, 2004
You were a brave and heroic person on and off duty. Thank you for reminding people that great cops do the right thing not just because you get paid to, but because that's what you would always do. Rest in peace brother.
Off Tim Nichols #85
San Francisco Police Department
June 4, 2004
Everyday I come to this site and everytime I see another name, my heart sinks once again.My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Rife at this terrible time. Another HERO lost to a cruel world!! Rest in peace, Sir.
Shirley Roberts-Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan E.O.W. March 14, 2004
Shirley Roberts_Oakdale, La.
June 4, 2004
Rest in peace Sgt Rife, We will pray for you and your family
SGT ( RET )
NJDOC SOG K9 UNIT
June 3, 2004
Sgt. Rife,
Rest in peace brother, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. GOD SPEED. To the family, friends and fellow officer's of the Metropolitan P.D. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Officer K. Swaney
Charlotte-Mecklenburg P.D.
June 3, 2004
Since Kevin was killed, I check on this website regularly. It is hard to believe that so many families are going through that unrelenting pain. I am so sorry for the grief you feel at the loss of Sgt. Rife. Please know you are in my prayers, and my heart aches for you. You know he is a hero, and God has him in his arms.
It has been nearly eight months since Kevin was taken from us. I know you will survive. Draw your strength from your family and friends. May God be with you all.
Mary Fisher
mother of Deputy Kevin Sherwood, EOW 10/9/03
June 3, 2004
I am deeply saddened by this tragic news. Another of the best people on earth has fallen to an evil murderer. I hope the community will show its outrage, as well as appreciation for this officer's sacrifice. My deepest sympathies and prayers to the family, friends and brother/sister officers of Sergeant Rife. Rest in Peace brother.
Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
June 3, 2004
Sgt Rife,
Rest in Peace Brother...For your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I will be praying for your family and the Metropolitan Police Department. GODSPEED..I know you are in good company with the rest of our fallen brothers & sisters..
Officer
NC
June 3, 2004
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