Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace brother.

11th District Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

September 12, 2004

Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job, I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

September 12, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert , his family and friends. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

September 12, 2004

Rest in peace Brother, the tour of duty is now ours. To the family of Detective Parker and to the other members of the NYPD you all of the condolences of entire Metropolitan Police Department.

Detective Grade 1 Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department, Washington D.C./ Homicide Branch

September 12, 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 Detective Parker 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 12, 2004

I was a good friend of Sergeant Keith FERGUSON of the NYPD who died in the line of duty in January 2004. I was deeply upset to learn that two more members of the NYPD have fallen. Whilst I did not know Detectives RAFFERTY and PARKER their loss has brought back much of the saddness I felt at Keith's passing. To the family, friends and workmates of these two detectives please be assured that you are in my thoughts during this very difficult time. I have no doubt that keith will welcome them into heaven.

Constable Ashley BOLD
New South Wales Police - Sydney, Australia

September 12, 2004

Rest in Peace.

Prov. Const. Cole
Ontario Provincial Police

September 12, 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

September 12, 2004

The Lord has called you and your partner home, we will carry on the watch.

Chief Jay Stripling
Lumpkin, GA Police

September 12, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Robert did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Robert be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Detective Parker'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 Robert 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 Robert was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Detective Parker 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 12, 2004

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS. YOU ARE A HERO MY BROTHER. YOU SERVED WELL. THANKS FOR YOUR 22 YEARS OF SERVICE.

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

September 11, 2004

Detective Parker, your selfless act to protect the people of New York will never be forgotten. You and your daughter are in my prayers. Rest Easy Brother!

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

September 11, 2004

For the Family & Friends and Fellow Officers - You are in our thoughts and prayers, God Bless you.

Police Family
Newark,CA

September 11, 2004

Rest in Peace!

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit

September 11, 2004

Rest in Peace!

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit

September 11, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

September 11, 2004

God Bless You. Thank you for everything you did while on earth.

God be with your family.

September 11, 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

September 11, 2004

Det. Parker, may God bless you and watch over your family, especially, your daughter.

To the New York City Police Department, we all mourn your loss.

Brother, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

September 11, 2004

Nerves of steel and a true Hero
Godspeed Detective Parker.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA

September 11, 2004

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you, Sir, for your many years of protecting and serving. May you rest in peace.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

September 11, 2004

TO the family of Detective Parker, you mourn not alone. The pain you feel is felt all across the country. Our prayers are with you all. To Detective Parker, rest in peace. Thank you for your service.

Michigan Citizen

September 11, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Detective Parker

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

September 11, 2004

To the family, friends and fellow officers of Detective Parker. We send our heartfelt condolences to all of you during this difficult time.

The family of Dave Grant EOW 5/31/04
Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept.

September 11, 2004

Rest in peace Detective Parker. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

September 11, 2004