Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective Parker, you performed the ultimate sacrifice with your partner. I pray for your Family. Lets all of us still here remember how fragile life is. NYPD, my condolences on your loss.

Officer II Jorge Pacheco
Maryland Transportation Authority PD

September 15, 2004

I'm at a loss for words. I still can't believe this has happened! God bless you and your family!

Ret. Sgt. Hector L. Garcia
N.Y.C.P.D

September 15, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are you.

Detective
Lacey PD located in Washington State

September 14, 2004

May God Comfort You and your family in your time of sorrow.

My family prayers are with you.

The Bryant, Campbell and Payne Family.

Toshar Bryant
Family Friend

September 14, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,friends and members of the
N.Y.P.D. We mourn your tragic loss.

Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey

September 14, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayes are with Detective Robert Parker's family, friends, and co-workers with the City of New York Police Department.

Rest in peace our brother in blue. The watch is ours now.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 14, 2004

May god surround your family and friends during this tragic time. God bless you sir R.I.P and thank you for your service.

Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl

September 14, 2004

On behalf of the Gallup Police Department, we send our condolences to the family of Officer Parker and the New York City Police Department. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all with strength.

Jenelle
Gallup Police Dept., Gallup, NM

September 14, 2004

Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.

Andrew, Police Officer
Baltimore City Police

September 14, 2004

Rest in peace. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Ret. P.O. Deborah Kosick
NYPD

September 14, 2004

I never really got to know you beyond the simple "who are you doing" when passing by, but I did know you were a good guy, a guy with a sense of humor, and one hell of a detective. I don't know what else to post but this snippet from the NY Daily News:

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"Parker was legendary for his creative interrogation techniques. Once, as Parker was questioning a murder suspect, he learned the man was a huge "Star Trek" fan.

He put two fingers on the suspect's temple, closed his eyes, told him he was doing a "Vulcan mind meld" and didn't budge for 15 minutes.

"Then he opened his eyes and said: ‘I know you did it,'" said DiDonato, who watched the interrogation through a one-way glass.

"How'd you know?" the suspect asked before confessing to the crime.

"It's a classic story," DiDonato said. "I tell it to the young detectives all the time."
----

You've given us all something to aspire to be. Rest in peace.

NYPD

September 14, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Det. Robert Parker.
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

September 13, 2004

It is with the deepest regret and sympathy that I read about this sad and uneccesary incident, and the subsequent loss of 2 valued and loved officers. These troubled times we live in reflect the true importance of our work and make us realise the ultimte dangers we face as police officers everywhere,everyday.

Constable
Cheshire Police U.K.

September 13, 2004

TO: The family; loved ones, friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER: O gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental , physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer: and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Master Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief (retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

September 13, 2004

Teddy Bear,You are with God now my friend. You will be extremely missed. I will always remember you by the way you lived your life to the fullest, not by the way you died. My prayers go out to your family and all those who loved you.

DETECTIVE LYNNE SILVER-MERIWETHER
NYPD

September 13, 2004

Our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Det. Robert Parker. Know that your Brother and Sister officers from Upstate NY are praying for your strength

PO Jack McMahon
Troy P.D.

September 13, 2004

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, are grieving over the loss of Detective Robert Parker. Condolences and prayers for his loved ones, Police family, and Friends. Detective Parker....you did, "Protect and Serve". All of us thank you for your commitment. What a MENTOR. We, (all Police Officers), know why you responded with dedication.

Detective
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC

September 13, 2004

A call came over my cell phone. Then another. Within 5 minutes I had received 20 phone calls, all with the horible news that the NYPD had lost 2 members of the service. As the NYPD was preparing to memorialize the 23 men and women who paid the ulitmate sacrifice on 9/11/01 new tragic news hits us. Det Parkers was a man who could have retired after 20 years but stayed on. It was his dedictaion to the people that led him to establish a rapport with members of the 67 precicnt community. As he has done countless times before, Det.Parker took a call from member of the precicnt who needed help. Withou hesitiation Det. Parker enlisted Det Rafferty to resolve the situation. Together they went out to make the community a beter place. Tragically they paid the ulitmate sacrifice for their dedication. Det. Parker enjoyed his job and he enjoyed his social life. Becasue of men liek det Parker and Det Rafferty I will take the time today to appreciate what I have. Without rules their is anarchy. Without Law Enforcement there is chaos.

Detective Patrick J. Donohue
New York City Police Department

September 13, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for your bravery, courage and commitment to the badge – your hard work and valiant efforts will never be forgotten.

A Relative of Officer Robert Stanze
EOW: August 8, 2000

September 13, 2004

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Detective Parker 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 13, 2004

I knew Detective Bobby PArker for about 17 years.Being around Bobby there was a calmness that surrounded him and made you always feel happy.I served in the 63rd Squad which borders the 67precinct and there were times we would see each other.The thought when out in the street is what side did the incident take place and while driving to the incident you have the thougt process well maybe its their side.Upon arrival one day the incident took place on the 63 side and he had a grin that covered a city block.I would look at him and say you know it always starts on your side and we would all burst out laughing.This as well as other tragic events is the part of our lives that we never ask for.Bobby and his partner will be missed not just for being police officers not for being family men but for beautiful human beings.May God bless them both and give their families, co workers, friends and citizens of New York City strentgh to continue in a troublesome world that we live in.

Detective 2nd Grade Wayne Harrison
NYPD

September 13, 2004

It is with great sorrow that the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, have learned of the tragic deaths of Detectives Parker and Rafferty. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of these two heros. Having recently lost Deputy Mike Arruda (EOW 06-14-04), we know all too well the pain and tragedy of losing one of our own. Please take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Rest in peace, Detective Parker.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 13, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Detective Parker's family, friends and co-workers. I pray God to give you His peace that passes all understanding. Psalm 55:22

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

September 13, 2004

May your family and friends find peace in these heart felt reflections. You are both true hero's. May your spirits have quick journeys home and a joyous homecoming celebration. Go rest high on the mountain!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

September 13, 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 13, 2004