Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been really hard this week to assimilate the fact that Brad is gone. He was one of the special people who always let you know he truly cared. Even when he was busy, in a hurry to get somewhere or to do something, Brad would stop and listen if you needed to talk. And he genuinely cared about what you had to say. You knew that he listened -- really listened -- with his ears, and with his heart, and that he would help in any way he could.

My heart goes out to his family as they deal with this loss. A truly good man, I believe that Brad's loss will be felt forever. I hope the family has many happy memories of times spent with Brad to comfort them as they get on with the job of living each day without him. He will be missed by his family, his friends, his co-workers, and the community he served and bettered each day that he was with us.

God bless the Crawford family. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.

Sheriff's Support Specialist II - Kat We
Clark County Sheriff's Office

August 5, 2004

I last spoke with Brad when he was remembering the life of his sister that he lost several weeks ago to cancer. Brad spoke of how she fought to survive her diease and of her struggle. We talked about life and how short it really is and that during this short time that we all really need to embrace it and enjoy every minute we have. I know that Brad grabbed at every moment, and lived it to the fullest.
I will miss you Brad. I wish that we could have spent more time working together.

Deputy Greg Chaney
Clark County Sheriff's Dapartment

August 5, 2004

Brad,
I still remember the first night we met. You called me on the radio to meet you and you introduced yourself. We exchanged stories from our other departments and shared some laughs. When we parted ways that cold wet evening, I felt kind of special and feeling that I had gained a new friend. But as I had the honor of working with you over the years and meeting for coffee etc., I realized that I was not unique in the way that you took the time to introduce yourself and share your life’s experiences with me. You took the equal time for everyone you met. From that, I have gained a life’s lesson from you that I will never forget.

When you made sergeant, I was so happy for you as there was no one more deserving. You were the perfect selection. Intelligent, professional and compassionate. You were the sergeant that anyone would be proud to serve. You cared for your troops both on and off duty, as well as the public we serve. A trait that is rare.

When I first heard of your passing, I asked “why you”? When I arrived at the scene, I again asked “why you”? Thanks to some of our brothers, they helped me put it in to perspective. You have earned your way home. This is God’s plan I am told, and it is we here on earth that strive to join you for eternity. I hope I earn that right to stand beside you again and catch up with you. Until that day, I will miss you and think of you and what you have taught me about being a good human. Thank you my brother.

Detective Tim Hockett
Clark County Sheriff's Office

August 5, 2004

Thank you Brother for your faithfulness and dedication to duty. We are proud you are one of the Thin Blue Line. Rest assured your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

August 4, 2004

We are truly saddened at Brad's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

August 4, 2004

Sgt. Crawford, Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. My prayers are with you, your family and your department. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

August 4, 2004

Sgt. Crawford was a true hero. All of us at the Spokane Airport Police Dept. are saddened by your loss.

Are prayers are with you.

Spokane Airport Police Association
Spokane Airport Police

August 4, 2004

Remember me when flowers bloom early in the spring.
Remember me on sunny days,in the fun that summer brings.
Remember me in the fall as you walk through the leaves of gold.
And in the winter time...remember me in the stories that are told.
But most of all, remember me each day right from the start.
I will be forever near for i live within your heart.
By
Judith karen Bullock.

Teresa Goss
ShaDco, Jacksonville, Fl

August 4, 2004

The men & women of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office offer our heart-felt condolences to the family, friends, brothers & sisters of Sergeant Brad Crawford. Thursday August 5, 2004 we honor our fallen brother but he will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever!

Sergeant Steve Gallagher
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

August 4, 2004

Our department lost one of our officers 2 weeks ago. We know your loss and pray for your department and his family. May God bless everyone.

TCO DEBBIE MORGAN
Md Transportation Authority

August 4, 2004

Brad,
Thanks for the great years at Flag PD. No man wore a badge with the pride, integrity, and care that you did. You were always there if somebody needed a ear to talk to. Your family and friends are blessed to have had you in their lives. Linda Wigman/Communications/Patrol

Linda Wigman
Flagstaff Police Department

August 4, 2004

Brad,

I am honored to have known you for the past eight years. I am unable to put into words the grief that I am feeling. We have talked on several occasions, and you have always been a wonderful role model. Your positive attitude towards life and this line of work made it a joy for me to work with you. Any person who had the oppurtunity to meet you just once could tell what a good man you were. We will always remember you Sergeant Brad Crawford. GOD BLESS.

Deputy Richard Guadan
Clark County Sheriff's Department

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

Godspeed Deputy. Rest in Peace and God Bless Your Family.

Res. Officer Kyle Flud
Langley PD, Langley, OK

August 4, 2004

Brad:(aka-hollywood)I am so blessed to have known you and worked with you at flag pd. you will never be forgotten. mary white

mary white-evidence tech
flagstaff police department

August 4, 2004

To the Family, Friends, and colleagues of Sergeant Crawford:

Having walked in your shoes, we know the pain and anguish that you feel today. Nothing that anyone can say will make it better. But trust in the Lord and let Him lift you up. Trust also in your many friends who will, over the coming weeks, months and years, provide a refuge for you. Accept their help in good faith and know that they struggle as hard as you do to understand and accept that which is niether understandable nor able to be accepted.

May God give you peace.

Todd and Marge Herzog
Father and Mother of Whatcom Co Deputy Matt Herzog, EOW Sept 13, 2001

August 3, 2004

Brad,

It's hard to believe you are gone. Although I never had the privilege of working for you I did have the privilege of calling you my friend. You will never know how much your kindness and advice meant to me during our weeks of "new-hire" orientation. You always made time to answer questions and give reassurance. You were a man of integrity and loyalty. Truly someone to admire. You will be missed greatly.

Detective Beth Luvera
Clark County Sheriff's Office

August 3, 2004

I never met you Brad, but I knew you. I knew you through what your friends, peers and family say about you. We're friends in Christ. I don't know why you were called home this way- and at this time Brad. The officers and staff at the OHSU Department of Public Safety are praying for you and your family. SA

Sgt. Steven Azorr
OHSU Dept.of Pubic Safety

August 3, 2004

To the Family of Sgt. Brad Crawford and his co-workers at the Clark County Sheriff's Dept. It saddens me to hear of the tragic death of Sgt. Crawford. Rest Assured he will never be forgotten. He will live on in each and every one of you. I'm here to help each of you at this tragic time as well as the other members of the Washington State Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Detective Mike Brown
Older brother of Deputy Mark Brown, EOW 02/27/1999

Detective Mike Brown
King County Sheriff's Office

August 3, 2004

8 years ago I met you. So friendly and sincere. I felt you were someone I could talk to about anything, and I did. Being able to work closely with you for those years in Detectives is something I will always reflect back on as one of the highlights of my Career. Thanks Brad, for not only being a friend as a Cop, but as a spiritual leader. Leading always by example. God used you several times in my life and in the lives of those around you. You were able to talk to anyone in a way that is rare among Police Officers. Being part of your family and going to Mariner Games with you and Pritchard were great times. Being at your kids weddings, (and how you and your wife left your 5 year old at the church and went to the reception). I almost got pulled over racing back 8 miles to the church to get him. Getting to know your family was very cool. I am so happy I was able to experience a small part of your life. Those are some of the memories I will always cherish. In the heart! (Give me some)

Detective John Visser
Clark County Sheriff's Office

August 3, 2004

God bless you for the job that you did. You are in a better place now watching down on the rest who do this job.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

August 3, 2004

To the wife and children of Sgt. Crawford,
I am truly sorry for your loss. His service and sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten. Your family will be in my prayers at this most difficult time.

Sincerely,
Valarie Bell Wright

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell, EOW 11-19-02, Summerville PD, SC

August 3, 2004

Sgt Crawford,
I only had but one opportunity to work with you a couple weeks before you were called home. Although it was only for a short time I did have a chance to see what your county brothers admired about you. I know that all who have had the chance to serve with you will carry on the memory of your dedication to the job, your faith in God, and your compassion for those around you. Thank you for setting an example for all of us to learn from. I know that your family will be cared for and protected not only by our Lord but by your brothers in Clark County so rest now and know that as you watch over us we will watch over each other.

Officer C. Olsen
La Center Police Department

August 3, 2004

From the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the family, friends, and co-workers of Sgt. Crawford. Having just experienced a gut-wrenching tragedy ourselves (Deputy Michael Arruda, EOW 06-15-04), we share your pain, your burden, and your sorrow.

May they never be forgotten.

Industry Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff

August 3, 2004

I knew Brad only slightly. He attended a couple of my training courses over the years. Sometimes one or two stick out and you remember them. Out of 50+ cops in the class last year, I remember his smile and his laughter and the way he conducted himself. I remember him asking a question that was very insightful and that no one had asked before, and it gave me pause and forced me to really dig for an answer. I remember his working really hard in the class while maintaining his attitude and his ready humor.

Brad will be missed. He touched many lives, and gave his life protecting us all. It was my honor to have spent a few hours teaching and training with this man. My deepest condolences to his family, and to the members of his agency. We all lost a warrior and a protector.

George T. Williams
Director of Training,
Cutting Edge Training, LLC
Bellingham, WA

Director George T. Williams
Cutting Edge Training, LLC

August 3, 2004