Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Maybe God Bless you and your family. Thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

TCO DEBBIE MORGAN
Md Transportation Authority

August 4, 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

August 4, 2004

My heart goes out to the family and police family of Officer Laurie. I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. God be with all of you at this time.

dispatcher
grand prairie police,tx

August 3, 2004

I had the priviledge to know Nathan Laurie during the time he lived in Farmersville, California. He was married to my wife's cousin, Shirlene.

Nathan was a giant of a man, yet he was one of the most pleasant and kind individuals I have ever met. An avid family man, Nathan also enjoyed a long and respected career in the United States Marine Corps.

I have been a police officer in California for 10 years and Nathan would often ask me about the job and what it was like out on patrol. He wanted to become a police officer to help those in need.

One of his greatest desires was to help teach cadets at the academy.

I had been a role player (at the academy in California) for quite some time and Nathan helped me develop a number of officer safety practicals, based on his military training and expertise, that continue to be used today.

Nathan never talked much about his achievments, but the walls of his home were covered with ribbons and commendations from the Marine Corps.

You don't get that kind of recognition by being second best.

Nathan loved working on old cars and was a talented weldor and fabricator. Since I restore cars in my spare time as a hobby, Nathan helped me with some very difficult machining operations and even made some rare parts for me from scratch.

Nathan had such a talent with his hands. He was a master craftsman and many of the parts he made for me I still have to this day.

Like footprints in the sand, they tell a little something about the master who created them.

I recall sitting in lawn chairs with Nathan at their home in Farmersville, CA. in 2000. We were talking about some old car he owned and what we could do to make it better.

Nathan said, "No mater what you have to work with, it can always be improved upon."

I honestly believe that he lived by those words and applied that philosophy to everything he did.

Unfortunately for me, Nathan and his family moved from California to Texas to be closer to other family members and pursue his career in law enforcement.

Probably the thing I will remember most about him was his endless smile, thunderous laugh and his willingness to stop whatever he was doing to help someone in need.

Nathan was that kind of person and he will be missed.

Semper Fidelis my friend...Robert Herndon

Division Officer Robert Herndon
Huron Police Department - Fresno County California

August 3, 2004

From the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we send our thoughts, our prayers, and our sympathy. Having lost one of our own recently (Deputy Mike Arruda, EOW 06-15-04), we know the gut-wrenching pain you're enduring.

Wrap your arms around the other involved officer and watch over him. No one knows the extent of his suffering. Don't let him be lost, too.

God bless you all.

Industry Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

August 3, 2004

May the Perpetual Light shine upon you. Rest in Peace. Amen.

Det. John Ragland
Tyler Texas Police

August 2, 2004

To the friends and family of Officer Nathan Laurie and the River Oaks Police Department. My heart and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. In this heightened time of terrorism I think the American people should stop and think more about not only the sacrifices of our military but also the sacrifices of our fine police officers like Nathan Laurie. God Bless the outstanding police officers of this great nation. With my deepest condolences, Jeffrey H. Strauch

Master-at-Arms Second Class Jeffrey H. S
U.S. Navy

August 2, 2004

I'm sorry for your the loss of your loved one. My prayers and condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Laurie.

Juanita McCoy, Data Management Superviso
Tyler Police Department

August 2, 2004

Words can not express how it feels to lose a fellow officer. The sadness you feel will never lessen. With each day that passes you will exchange the sadness for a good memory of that person. On behalf of our department I would like to extend our sympathy to Officer Laurie's family and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Rest in peace now. We will carry on in your name.

Officer Judy Barrera
Metro Nashville Police Dept. Nashville, Tennessee

August 2, 2004

God Speed, Warrior! The watch is ours, just keep a eye on the rest of us.

PTLM
New Castle County Police - Delaware

August 2, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 2, 2004

To Officer Laurie family, friends, and the River Oaks Police Department. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Laurie for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 2, 2004

Good bye my friend. You will be missed.

Tammy Stewart

August 2, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Officer Nathan Laurie. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

August 2, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of P.O. Nathan Laurie.
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

August 1, 2004

May God be with you, your family and your fellow officers. As my brother in law enforcement, I grieve for all of those left behind. You are now a FTO and guardian to us all. Rest in peace my brother.

Cpl. M. Szempruch
Bossier City Police Dept.

August 1, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
OFFICER LAURIE, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

August 1, 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 Nathan did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Nathan 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 Laurie'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 Nathan 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 Nathan was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Laurie 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)

August 1, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

PATROL STEVE TRESTER
WYLIE POLICE DEPT.

August 1, 2004

I had the honor of meeeting Ofc. Laurie about a month ago, ehile graduating the police academy. His advise on our praticals will always be remembered, since he was my very first evaluator. My prayers go out to his family, friends, and River Oaks PD. He will be greatly missed.

Ofc. R.M. Howell
Denton Police Dept.

August 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to Officer Nathan Laurie, his family and to the River Oaks Police Department.

You will never be forgotten!

Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department

August 1, 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 Laurie 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.

August 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Laurie. Thank you for all you have done and may you rest in peace - Officer Laurie.

S/A Christopher Cooper
US DoED-OIG - Dallas, Texas

July 31, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Nathan Laurie and the River Oaks Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Nathan... 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 31, 2004

I had a chance to work with OFC. Laurie while i was in Police Academy at the Regional Police Academy in Arlington Tx. He was one of the Trainers used for the traffic stop portion. I found that he was a highly professional officer and that i had learned a great deal from him. My condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire River Oaks Police Department.

Ofc. Marc Sweeney #136

OFC. Marc Sweeney
Denton Police Department Denton TX.

July 31, 2004