Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Sheriff John Bechtold Jr. and the Campbell County Sheriff's Office...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done John... 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

August 8, 2004

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

August 8, 2004

We are truly saddened at John's loss.
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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 8, 2004

To the family, and fellow officers of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office.

Our deepest condolences to all of you. We feel your pain since we just lost a loved brother 07-26-04.

Sheriff Bechtold Jr. you will never be forgotten.

Watch over us from above. Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Sheriff
Williamson County Sheriff's Dept Marion, Il

August 8, 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

August 8, 2004

There are but two persons who protect the sinful human race from destroying itself. One is God's Holy Spirit. The other is the Peace Officer. Without them, we would all perish at each other's hands.

You were called into this profession and our Lord and Savior has blessed you because:
According to Romans 13.1-5...
God ordains the Peace Officer’s profession.
The Peace Officer is sent by God.
The Peace Officer is vested with God's authority to enforce the law.
A Peace Officer's badge is to be honored by us, because it is honored by God.

To the family of Sheriff John Bechtold Jr. and the Campbell County Sheriff's Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieves with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you during this most difficult time.

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow man, your life.
While serving, defending, and protecting others in your community.
Rest easy with our other fallen Brothers and Sisters, we have the watch now.

To all my brothers and sisters, please remember the fallen officers we have lost and their families. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Please pray for this officer's family, agency, and friends as they struggle with this tragedy.

May God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. We continue the fight in your honor.

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw P.D. Choctaw Oklahoma

August 8, 2004

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
This was written by an unknown author.

Jim Moore
New Orleans PD, Retired

August 8, 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 Sheriff Bechtold 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 8, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Sheriff John Bechtold, Jr.. 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 7, 2004

To Sheriff Bechtold Jr. family, friends, and the Campbell County Sheriff's Office. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Sheriff Bechtold Jr. for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 7, 2004

"No greater a man than he who will lay down his life for another" RIP fallen brother

Deputy Andrew S. Hynek
La Porte County, IN Sheriff's Office

August 7, 2004

I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the Bechtold Family and the deputies & staff of the Campbell County Sheriff's Department over the tragic loss of Sheriff John Bechtold Jr. Anothet brother has been taken from the thin blue line. John died while serving and assisting others and he leaves us as a hero. John will now patrol the streets of Heaven with St. Michael and his angels. May our brother John rest in peace. Never forget the fallen hero!

Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.

August 7, 2004

Sorry about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Officer's wife from Juneau County Wisconsin

August 7, 2004

My thougths and prayers are with Sheriff Bechtold's family, friends and co-workers. We will never let you walk alone. We will always be here for you. Psalm 55:22

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

August 7, 2004

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of Sheriff Bechtold. I'm sure that he touched many lives throughout the area during his time in law enforcement, and I hope that his family, friends and the community he served will always honor the memory of this hero.

Anonymous
Colorado

August 7, 2004

Rest in peace.

Annon

August 7, 2004

Rest in Peace. Lead us from above...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

August 7, 2004

Thank you, Sheriff Bechtold, for your service. Peace be with your family to help them with their grieving, and with you through your eternal rest. God bless.

Michigan Resident

August 7, 2004

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

Texaa Peace Officer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

August 7, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY. FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF SHERIFF BECHTOLD. MAY THEY REALIZE THAT HE DIED WHILE HELPING OTHERS. A HERO FOR SURE. MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU DID SERVE WELL, NO DOUBT.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 7, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you Sheriff. Thank you for your service.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Michigan

August 7, 2004

Today we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Sheriff Bechtold. 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

August 7, 2004

keep watch over us in heaven Sheriff bechtold.
GOD BLESS YOU, REST IN PEACE

TMP

August 7, 2004

I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find that peace that surpasses all understanding. Precious memories will soften the pain in the heart. My deepest condolences to Sheriff Bechtold's family and co-workers.

Teresa Goss
ShaDco, Jacksonville, Fl

August 7, 2004

My condolence to the family and friends of Sheriff Bechtold Jr. and to the members of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office. You are remembered Brother.

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

August 7, 2004