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 23, 2004

On behalf of the City of Sutherlin Police Department, I send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Constable Brooks. May your loving memories of him be a lasting tribute to his bravery and as well as the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his community.

Officer Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department

July 23, 2004

To Officer Brooks, Family and Friends. My prayers and heart are with you. May your love one rest in peace. God Bless You.
Donna Jones
Mother of Officer Ron Jones
EOW 12/26/01

July 23, 2004

My family would like to extend our sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Constable Brooks...you're in our thoughts & prayers.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

July 22, 2004

As a fellow parent of a USNA Plebe, we all extend our deepest sympathies to Constable Brooks' family, friends and fellow officers. May God Bless You and Comfort You in this darkest time. As USNA family, we offer our love and support to your son while he deals with his sorrow.
In Christ's Love,
The Sloane Family
Thomas Class of '08
F Co. 11th Platoon

July 22, 2004

You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 22, 2004

My heart is always heavy when I visit this site, but especially when I see that a fellow marine patrol officer has been taken from us. My prayers are with your family Officer Brooks, and I salute you sir.

Officer B.J. Davis
Davidson County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Division

July 22, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Constable Brooks

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

July 22, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Bay Constable Brooks' wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. I pray God's peace and grace to comfort you. Psalm 55:22

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

July 22, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family,friends,and co-workers of Constable Brooks.

Trooper C.E. Johnson Jr.
Virginia State Police

July 22, 2004

Rest easy brother, The watch is ours now

Officer
Atlanta Polie

July 21, 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)

July 21, 2004

I grew up in Babylon and was extremely saddened when I learned of Constable Brooks' death. It's a tragedy that should not have happened. My heart goes out to his family and co-workers.

Detective Melissa Palopoli
Scottsdale Police Dept., AZ

July 21, 2004

Our condolences and Prayers to Constable Richard Brooks Family.
God Bless!

Constable Frank Colantonio
Pennsylvania State Constables Office

July 21, 2004

You are a true hero. God bless you and keep you forever. Rest in peace.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 21, 2004

When I read about your loss, I couldn't help but write to you to let you know that I feel for the family. Since my brother has died my sister-in-law has turned away from everyone that is related or knew my brother, even her mother. Please know that this doesn't help and talk to the ones that are there for you. Don't be afraid to show them your pain. They will comfort you in your time of sorrow. Time does make it easier but you never forget. Bless you and your family.

Gina Boyle (sister of fallen officer Rod

July 20, 2004

Constable Brooks-- We have you and your plebe son in our prayers. As a United States Naval Academy plebe parent I know the tough summer your son is going through. It just got tougher for him. I hope and prayer he is able to over come and stay at USNA. We prayer for your family and your community.
God Bless You

Deputy Sheriff Jerry Valladarez
Dallas County Sheriff Department/USNA Midshipmen parent

July 20, 2004

The officers of the 67th Precinct Anti-Crime unit with to extend their condolences to the friends, co-workers and family of Constable Brooks.

67th Precinct Anti-Crime unit
New York City Police Department

July 20, 2004

GOD SPEED TO YOUR NEXT CALL,,,,
GOD BLESS,,

L.Morgan
ST.JOHNS CO SO FLORIDA

July 20, 2004

Bay Constable Brooks,

Rest in Peace my Brother....You gave all and thank you for your years of service. I'm sorry you had to die so violently, but this is the society we now live in. My prayers are with your family and the Bay Constable's Office, GODSPEED.....

Officer
NC

July 20, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this fine officer. I pray you will find peace and comfort in knowing that Richard gave the greatest measure of devotion he could to his community. God bless you all.

Officer G. Curtis
Seattle Community College District

July 20, 2004

We send our deepest sympathy to the family of Constable Brook's during this difficult time. You are in the thoughts and prayers of the extended USNA family. We hope that you find strength while recalling the memories of such a hero as your husband and father. He will not be forgotten.

Marilou & Stuart Seiff
USNA Midshipman Parents

July 20, 2004

To the family and friends of Constable Brooks, I'm sorry for your loss and know that you will be in my prayers.

Constable Brooks, will be remembered...

-by the laughter of your friends, as they recall your spirit and share your stories.

-by your wife, parents and family - as they slowly move past their grief to remember with joy their special times with you.

-and most importantly, in the living legacy that is your son and daughter.

And you will be remembered by your brothers and sisters in blue, whether they worked with you or not. They will continue - in your memory - to walk the streets proudly on earth, as you walk the streets of heaven.

Rest in peace - we will meet again.

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw P.D. Choctaw Oklahoma

July 20, 2004

Mrs.Brooks,
May God bless you and your family at this time of great loss. We will keep you in our prayers and wanted to let you know that we will be especially in prayer for your son Richard as he returnes to the Accademy.
God be with you,
Grandparents of a plebe

Chiquita & Richard Ericson

July 20, 2004

Constable Brooks,
Thank you for giving of yourself so that we might be safe. May your family and friends find peace and understanding in the weeks and months to come. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten...God speed, Sir.

wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

July 20, 2004