Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace brother

Ofc G Watts
SFPD-TTF

September 17, 2004

From an AP article:

After hearing tributes Wednesday from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and others, 9-year-old Kevin Rafferty wanted mourners in St. Mary's Church and out on the street to know one more thing.

Detective Patrick Rafferty, who was fatally shot along with his partner last week in Brooklyn, "was the most caring, kind, loving and brave father anyone could have."

"I felt safe and secure knowing that nothing bad would happen because my dad was there to protect us."

Applause erupted among the estimated 15,000 police officers, from the metropolitan area and beyond, who listened via loudspeakers outside the tiny church. Some wiped away tears.

Following the same route used for East Islip's annual St. Patrick's Day parade, a procession of motorcycle officers, followed by the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drums, led a march down Montauk Highway from the funeral home where the Irish-Catholic Rafferty's wake was held to the church where his life was celebrated in a funeral Mass.

After the service, two trumpeters played taps, followed by a flyover of seven police helicopters. A lone trumpeter played "America the Beautiful" as Rafferty's casket was placed in a hearse for the trip to nearby St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

September 17, 2004

God speed brothers

Trooper NYSP
NYSP

September 16, 2004

Goodbye brother the law enforcement brotherhood sheds a tear for you and your partner we will never get used to these incidents, but rest assured, a community is grateful to have had you!

Police Officer Scott Parker #904
Pelican Bay Police Department, Tarrant County Texas

September 16, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Detective Rafferty's family and friends, and to the men and women of the New York City Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Detective Rafferty, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of the La Habra Police Department we send our thoughts and condolences to the New York City Police Department and the family of Detective Rafferty. It doesn't matter what part of the country we work in, when one of our brothers or sisters fall, we all feel the pain and the loss.

Detective Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra PD, California

September 16, 2004

Words cant come close to describing the terrible sorrow I feel losing a fellow brother. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family anf friends of Det. Rafferty. Gone but never forgotten. RIP.

PO Pak 49
NYPD

September 16, 2004

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association are with the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Patrick H. Rafferty.

Detective
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office (NY)

September 16, 2004

Det Patrick Rafferty
Det Robert Parker

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
And despite what you've heard about how
They died serving the people of New York City
Performing a thankless job that many wouldn't consider doing
But doing it so well and respected enough to be appointed to Detective

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
By someone who cared close to nothing about his life
And even less about two others
Who had the opportunity and means to extinquish his
But afforded him an extra second to comply with their demands

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
And were labeled heroes by the media, the Mayor and the Police Commissioner
And even though they made the ultimate sacrifice
Being labeled just a hero is demeaning to them
Because they were much more than that
They were loving fathers, husband, friends, teachers, listeners, jokesters and moreover, sons of God

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
While striving to protect a city that didn't appreciate them to pay them enough
To provide more adequately for their loved ones
Making it necessary to put in the longer hours
Whos' seconds ultimately ticked away during their demise

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
And because they were my friends
I'll never use the term that they "Gave their lives in the line of duty"
Because they loved their lives
And giving their lives in the manner in which it was taken would mean that they would surrender to cowardice.
And to surrender... means to fail
And failures ...THEY WERE NOT!!

Some friends of mine were killed the other day
And the lesson I've learned from them are priceless.
Cherish the beauty of each day as if it were your last
Because today may be a glorious one but tomorrow isn't promised to you
And sometimes...
Just sometimes...
We're not the masters of our fate


DWW

Det 1 Derek Wright
NYCPD

September 16, 2004

I'll never forget the sickening feeling I got in my stomach while I was on patrol that fateful night and I learned of the tragic loss. Then hearing on the radio that Police Officers were at your home notifying your family and escorting them to the hospital. I hate this job sometimes! God be with you and your family. Brother you can count on us to be there for your family as well.

PATROL OFFICER
SCPD

September 15, 2004

Nothing anyone says can take away the pain of losing this fine man.We all are hurting knowing another one of our brothers were taken from us prematurly. My prayers are with Det. Rafferty's family, friends, and fellow brothers at NYPD.

Investigator Walter
1st Judicial Dist. of PA Warrant Unit

September 15, 2004

May god bless you on your journey.May your family find strength in the days ahead,It doesn't get easier for them without you but it will become bearable.You are in god's hands now! Rest in peace.We will never forget you and the ultimate sacrifice that you and your partner made that night.

Ret.P.O.Lynette Cruz
NYCPD

September 15, 2004

Pat, I bet you and I banged shoulder pads in our high school years, just a town or two from The West Islip Lions. We'll keep up your fight, we'll make you proud. Rest now, we got it.

September 15, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with your Department, and especially with the friends and family of your fallen friends. GOD BLESS these HEROS.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Officers Rafferty and Parker
will never be forgotten.

Invest. Mike Bradford- Ret.
Tallahassee Police Dept.

September 15, 2004

I don't doubt you're resting in peace brother.. Peacekeepers do. They earn that right through their courageous, often humble acts.

May God keep your friends & family close to His heart always. May they find some comfort in Him hand picking YOU to be closer to Him..

Undercover
NYPD

September 15, 2004

Detective Rafferty,

GODSPEED Brother..I will be praying for your family and the New York City Police Department...We will never forget..

Officer
NC

September 15, 2004

9/15/04 Today we will bury Det. Rafferty with Det. Parker's Funeral on 9/17/04. This is by far the worst week of my life. Thanks to all who keep us in their prayers and to those who will attend. Someone yesterday brought up a strange fact, the members of the 67th Precint lost the following in LOD deaths by gunfire :

Det Bill Gunn 11/27/92
P.O. Anthony Mosomillo 5/26/98
Det. Patrick Rafferty and
Det. Bobby Parker 9/10/04

EVERY 6 YEARS

I've been there for the last three incidents and it gets harder with each one. Although I will retire shortly and have had the priveledge to work with the Finest Officers in the City in the 67th Precinct, I realize that if history repeats itself somewhere down the line I will know the next one. This to me is the hardest part of Police Work by far. I will never forget these fine people who made my job easier because of the type of officers they were. They set an example that all of society should strive to be like, not just as Police Officers but as human beings as well. To Tony Moss, Pat Rafferty and Bobby "Bootsie" Parker Thank You for the lessons you taught me. Rest in Peace my brothers, I love you all.

Sgt Bill Crescenzo
67th Precinct NYPD

September 15, 2004

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO TODAY, DET. RAFFERTY WAS DOING A JOB THAT HE LOVED, AND WAS TAKEN FROM US. DET. RAFFERTY MAY YOUR REST IN PEACE. TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD.

SGT. W. M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPT.

September 15, 2004

I am deeply sorry for the loss of one of NYPD's finests. To Detective Rafferty's Family, may the Lord grant you peace during this difficult time.

Officer Jorge Pacheco
Maryland Transportation Authority PD

September 15, 2004

Rest In Peace!

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

September 15, 2004

You all have the sympathy of the Entire Cleveland, Ohio Police Department, God bless them both!

Detective Kevin Berry
Cleveland Police Dept.

September 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Detective Furrer
Lacey PD located in Washington State

September 14, 2004

Our prayers and deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of Detective Patrick Rafferty. 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 prayers are with Detective Patrick Rafferty's family, friends, and co-workers with the City of New York Police Department.

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

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 14, 2004

May god be with you and bless your family and frinds during this tragic time. Thank you for your service sir. You will never be forgotten.

Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl

September 14, 2004