Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“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

July 15, 2004

Rest Easy Brother! Thanks for your dedication and the unfortunate sacrifice given to the people of New Orleans. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

July 15, 2004

God bless you and your family and friends, Officer Simmons. You'll never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

July 15, 2004

The policeman stood and faced 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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time 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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

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

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

July 15, 2004

May god bless you, my fallen brother. I pray for your family so that they may have the strength to accept the things they cannot change. Your memory will not be forgetten.

Police Officer
Fairfax County Police Department

July 15, 2004

In loving memory of P.O. Alva Simmons: It is with profound respect that I write these words for your loving family who has cared for you
all these years. Their commitment to you is almost unheard of these days.
This just shows how much they valued your life and believed the vows you once said, "in sickness and in health." You have my utmost admiration. Thank you for your dedication to your law enforcement career and for your supreme sacrifice. You are finally at peace.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

July 15, 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 Alva did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Alva be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Simmons' 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 Alva 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 Alva was well respected and well loved.

Thank you 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 - EOW (01/03/03)

July 15, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Alva Simmons and the New Orleans Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Alva... 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

July 15, 2004

Rest in peace Officer Simmons. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

July 15, 2004

Alva; I never met you my brother, but my brother you are the same. I know those who knew you, and I mourn your loss, but I hope this passing has relieved you of your pain in this world, and brought you peace at last.
Rest easy my brother.

Detective Andy Whitaker
NOPD

July 15, 2004

May you Rest in Peace, all your
suffering is over. God Bless your family.

Pat Carruth
Mother of Officer
Jeremy "Jay" Carruth
EOW 2/20/03

Pat Carruth

July 15, 2004

You fought a valiant battle sir and will receive your reward from God. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Simmons.

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

July 15, 2004

Thank you Sir for keeping us safe. May you now be at peace.


God Bless You

Bev

Beverly Humphries
Citzen

July 15, 2004

I don't think I could type enough words to express the sorrow I feel for this hero! It could have been any of us, at any time. God bless you Alva Simmons, you were a hero here and now a hero in heaven. Watch over us, and gods speed!!!

Police Officer
Montgomery County, MD.

July 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Rest in peace brother.

Texas Peace Officeer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

July 14, 2004