Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch Saturday, August 28, 2004
Reflections for Police Officer Eric James White
RIP brother, thank you for giving yourself for us, the ultimate sacrifice. My prayer go out to your family amd friends.
Officer Tizoc Landeros
Joliet Police Department, Illinois
September 11, 2004
To the family and friends of Officer Eric White. There are no words to express the loss you feel. The empty place where your heart should be. We in Spokane County feel it with you..we have felt it before when we lost one of our own. What I can say is, remember all the good and amazing times, the stories, the laughter, and all that you have learned from one another. We are all brothers and sisters in the great and proud family of law enforcement. And families look after each other. You are in our prayers and in our thoughts.
May God give you peace and comfort you as He has us.
Communications Officer Saundra Magnuson
Spokane County Sheriff's Department
September 9, 2004
To The Family:
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. You will find strength to pull on that you never knew you had. God is with you.
To The Phoenix Police Department:
Take care of yourselves. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Kay Wood, Mother of City Deputy Marshal Glen D. DeVanie, 25------EOW 04/02/03
Alexandria, Louisiana
September 9, 2004
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer White.
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER......
Detective
Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey
September 9, 2004
Thank you for giving of yourselves that the rest of us might be safer...God Speed, gentlemen....
wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI
September 7, 2004
You are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol
September 7, 2004
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Officer White gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting the members of his community. You now walk a beat where there is no violence, only peace. See you on the other side.
First Sergeant Salvatore Torelli
Fauquier County Sheriff's Office, VA
September 7, 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
September 7, 2004
It has been nine long days since we lost you my friend. People stop us on the streets and thank us for what we do everyday, and they give their condolances for our loss. When they do this, I think of your laugh and your smile and it comforts me. You're still working over time from heaven Eric. We miss you.
Police Officer
Phoenix P.D.
September 7, 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 White 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.
September 6, 2004
GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. JOHN 15:13. REST IN PEACE ERIC.
YOUR FELLOW WORKERS WITH PHOENIX P.D.
PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT
September 5, 2004
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER WHITE, HIS FAMILY AND CO-
WORKERS.
GOD BLESS...
PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
September 5, 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 Eric did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Eric 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 White'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 Eric 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 Eric was well respected and well loved.
Thank you Officer White 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)
September 5, 2004
My condolences to the family, friends and Co-workers of Officer White. Your bravery and memory will live on forever. Rest in peace.
A Police Officers Mother
September 4, 2004
To Officer White family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you
God Bless you
terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86
September 4, 2004
Rest in peace Brother Eric, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Thank you for your courage and service.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73
September 4, 2004
Officer White,
You served well, Rest in Peace Brother..I will be praying for your family and the Phoenix Police Department. GODSPEED...
Officer
NC
September 4, 2004
To the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Eric White,
I am shocked & saddened by all of the recent shootings here in the Phoenix and am terribly sorry to hear of the lost of another brave officer. These officers made the ultimate sacrifice just doing their job to protect and serve. I cannot imagine what Officer White's family must be going through. I am extremely thankful to all of the brave men and women that patrol these street and protect me and my loved ones. Thank you and God bless. May you rest in peace Officer White.
concerned resident of Phoenix Metro area
September 4, 2004
Officer White, Rest easy Brother, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs OFfice, La.
September 3, 2004
I am greatly saddened by your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you the strength and courage to get through this difficult time.
Police Officer
Phoenix Police Department
September 3, 2004
Rest in peace brother. Our prayers are with your department and the family.
Officer William Inman
Birmingham Police Dept. Al.
September 3, 2004
Eric, though I never knew you, I know you are an angel sent from god. Watch over us and keep us safe as we honor your memory every day we put that badge on our chest. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten. God speed brother.
Police Officer M. LaFramboise
September 3, 2004
Sometimes the words you need to say about the way you feel about a family member or close friend is just hard to find and even though I have found that these words below can be just as hard to read as they are to say but have also found that they are very important and at the same time be comforting.And to Officer Eric White's family I would just like to say that even though I did not know him personally I know that he loved you folks very much and was very dedicated to to you I know this because police officers are dedicated people they have to be to do the job right and from what I can understand he was great at his job Officer Eric White rest in peace now brother walk the beat of Heaven's streets where you will be much safer we have the streets down here now here is just a poem i hope you will find comforting
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.
Hunter
CPSO originally/now Bossier city PD
September 3, 2004
off. white you've finished your tour and heaven has one more angel to watch over my husband and every police officer out there so that they can continue to do the same job every day .mrs.white please know that myself and every spouse out there is here for you and you're children and it is up yo us to make sure you're children grow up proud of they're father and the price you and he paid for the job.heaven has one more angel today.god bless sir and rest in peace . deputy brian & senta eilola . mcso #1607.
senta eilola
spouse of mcso deputy
September 3, 2004
To the family of Eric White,
I am so sorry for your loss. Police officers hold a special place in my heart and every time I hear of another lost my heart breaks. Always remember how grateful we are for officers like Eric, who give the ultimate sacrifce to keep us safe.
September 2, 2004
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