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

Each and every day going to work to protect and serve the public,while a thank you seems so insignificant now, please know that our prayers are with the friends and family of this fallen officer.

sandy riley

July 23, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police

July 23, 2004

God Bless you Duke and rest easy for your duty is Done. PLease say hello to Deputy John Wiberg for me as you patrol the streets of heaven together..

Deputy
Washoe COunty S.O.

July 23, 2004

To Officer Aaron Family and Friends. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May your love one rest in peace and may God given you strength to face the difficult days ahead. God bless you.
Donna Jones
Mother of Officer Ron Jones
EOW 12/26/01

July 23, 2004

It was my pleasure to work with you. You will be deeply missed. It seems often that one doesn't know what they have until it's gone. God bless you and your family.

Officer II, B. Peris
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

I will forever miss our morning talks. You were and always will be a good friend. I will never foget you. We miss you Duke.

Officer II, M. Walter
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of P.O. Duke Aaron III.
You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law
enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communitites.
Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

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

July 22, 2004

You have made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you and your family.
Rest in Peace Brother............. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 22, 2004

Rest in peace Brother. May God bless you and hold you close.

Officer Scott Lundegren
Yarmouth Police Dept, MA

July 22, 2004

The men and women of the Illinois State Police extend our condolences to the family of Officer Aaron and to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department.

Illinois State Police

July 22, 2004

Sorry to hear of your GREAT loss. My heart goes out to Duke's family. I will be praying for them. He will never be forgotten. Why must always the BEST and Brave die?

State Trooper
California Highway Patrol

July 22, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and coworkers of Officer Aaron.

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

July 22, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Aaron's wife, family, friends and co-workers. May God comfort you and carry you. Psalm 55:22

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

July 22, 2004

What a terrible loss, another fine officer taken before his time.

The first MdTA Officer since 1991, I believe, what a shame. May you watch over us all.

Jamie Hughes
Former MdTA Police Officer Candidate, Class 36

Jamie Hughes (former MdTA Police O/C)
MdTA Police

July 22, 2004

Today we mourn as yet another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Aaron. 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 Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

July 22, 2004

My sincere condolence to the family & friends of Officer Aaron. We will remember.

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

July 22, 2004

Maryland has loss another of its finest officers. God bless you, your family and Department at this time of loss.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy
Prince George's County Police Department

July 22, 2004

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY,FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS FROM THE HUGE FAMILY OF BLUE.YOU ARE A TRUE HERO!

Corporal David Hazlett
BERRY HILL PD NASHVILLE,TN.

July 22, 2004

We were saddened to hear of the loss of Duke in such a manner that we all fear as public service professionals. Duke will be greatly missed and we are honored to call him our friend.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Jenn, his loving wife, as well as his family.

BWI Airport Office of the Fire Chief
and Fire Prevention Division

BWI Fire and Rescue Department

July 22, 2004

May God be with you during this tragic and difficult time. Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace.

Wife of a Police Officer

July 22, 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 Officer Aaron 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.

July 22, 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 Duke did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Duke 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 Aaron's 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 Duke 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 Duke 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 22, 2004

The family,friends,and co-workers of Officer Aaron III will be included in my prayers.

Trooper C.E. Johnson Jr.
Virginia State Police

July 22, 2004

to the Aaron Family and MTAPD, my deepest thoughts and prayers are with you all. It's situations like Duke's that always seems to remind me that something so simple such as a traffic stop can be so dangerous. It is truely amazing that we do our jobs to ensure the safety of the public no matter how great the risk might be to our own. Kep your heads up and remember God is with you every step of the way.

P.O. II Taylor Schmitz
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 22, 2004