Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am the wife of David Riley Jr. I am so sorry about what happened. I have wanted to write to you many times but never knew how to get ahold of you personally. I have never blamed the officers at all,. They were only doing there job. If you knew what he had put me through, you wouldn't blame me for leaving him. If I had never left you would still have your men. I feel deep down he had wanted me to come there and walk in and we both would be dead. He knew as soon as I would walk in I would light a cigarette. Then we both would be gone. Again I am so sorry

Sharon Riley

Sharon Riley
Sharon Riley. Wife of the suspect

September 15, 2023

Tim
My name is Shirley Jaster, and I was not living in Missouri when you went to heaven, but I moved here in 2006. I am a retired nurse and worked in ER in a hospital in ca for years, so I saw a lot of bad stuff. We just had two of your fellow officers on the force shot and killed and another one wounded just last week. They have joined you in Heaven and it makes me weep. it’s just so needless. I hope and pray that your loved ones are doing OK. And I continue to pray for JPD officers

They will be joining you soon. It just m
Shirley Jaster

March 14, 2022

Tim ; I'll never forget the day I got the officers down call and found out it was you and Greg.

Brother, I never told you. I always paid close attention to how you treated people. You always treated people with respect and dignity reqardless of how they treated you.

Tim, I miss you and the conversations we used to. have.

Rest in peace my friend....you are seriously missed.

Ptl Sgt. Wayne Smith
Friend, Diamond Police

February 28, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 13, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Nielson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 20, 2020

tim, i was young when we met, but old enough to understand. you were my youth minister at McKinley Ave Baptist church. you taught me to love god, and helped teach me right from wrong. i looked up to you as a child, and as i matured and grew i tried my best to live life the way you did. we all miss you tim. me, joseph, and seth. i know you are keeping watch on all of us from heaven. thank you for your service tim. my thoughts and prayers are always with tracy and your daughter. god bless you tim.

Professional Security Officer Nathan Ada
Allied Universal Security Services

May 15, 2018

Thank you for your service!

Director Patrick J.
Officer Down, The Thin Blue Line (ODBL)

March 5, 2016

Tim,
I might have not known you but im sitting right next to your daughter right now and im not even 13 yet and shes crying i feel really bad right now for you but i know you are having fun in heaven right now.

none
none

February 9, 2015

I did not know him im not even 13 but i am sitting by your daughter rachel i am crying because this is so sad.
May you rest in peace god bless you and have fun up there in heven

none
none

February 9, 2015

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over them and protect them from harm. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 13, 2013

Tim,

I never served with you, but if the character an integrity of your brother is any reflection of the person you were, then I am honored to have carried the same shield.

We have the watch from here.

Anonymous

September 13, 2011

Tim,

I don't know what made me come to your page today, but I did and I am missing you. There aren't too many days that I don't think about working with you and then telling you goodbye that night in the hospital. I miss you dearly. I have tried to make myself a better officer ever since that day. I can't say that I always have, but I am trying. Take care, keep your watch.
Your friend and fellow officer.

Anonymous

November 18, 2010

Tim,

I miss you each and everyday. When I drive by the capital I always drive where your name is and I still cant believe it.
love always
Anne

Anne Collins-Robinson

July 2, 2010

Tim,

Time may pass and friends may come and go but the lives you touched will never be forgotten. Your memory lives on in each and every life you have touched. May God be with your family our prayers are with you and each one of them.

Lt. Roger Wormington
Past chief of det., Cherokee Co Sheriff

October 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 5th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I hold your family and Greg in my heart's embrace.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 17, 2009

Praying for your family on your 5 year EOW. Rest easy, brother.

Deputy and Firefighter
Southwest Florida

September 13, 2009

Just remembering your family at this time, and your sacrifice.

SB

July 21, 2009

Tim,
I can't believe its been nine years since the academy. I never told you but I sure did look up to you. You were truly born to be an officer, It is people like you that make me proud to wear a uniform. I thank you buddy and my prayers are with you and your family. God bless.

Officer J. Teeter
Miami Az Police Department

February 15, 2009

To the family and loved ones of Patrolman Timothy Andrew Nielson, his fellow officers with the Joplin Police Department, and most especially to Patrolman Nielson:

On this the fourth anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that you are honored and revered today and everyday. From all the loving reflections left about you, I can see that you were an amazing man and what a grievous loss your loved ones have endured because of your death.

May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire. You are loved and missed by so many.

I also pray for the continued physical and emotional healing of Greg. I have witnessed firsthand the anquish officers undergo who are involved in an incident, yet survive when their comrade does not. I know firsthand the gratitude that the family of the fallen officer feels for the heroic efforts made to save their beloved, and the comfort it gives to the broken hearts of those families to know their beloved's friends/comrades were beside them in those darkest moments of crisis.

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Nielson. A body is but for a lifetime, but spirits and souls are for eternity and yours is forever part of those who call you beloved.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Patrolman Nielson gave to his community and the citizens of Missouri, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 13, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept. eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

September 14, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 6, 2007

On this, the 03rd Anniversary of your death, I salute you, Sir! I also salute Greg, for I know he did everything humanly possible to save you. They call it "survivors remorse" when something like this happens, and I know from personal experience how guilty a fellow officer can feel. In my case, the officer survived, but I continued to play the "what if" game for years. I choose to believe that God has a plan for us all. And, while we cannot understand His will, it shall be done. The coward who caused this is the ONLY one to blame. He set a trap for you both; I will ALWAYS consider this to be a murder. Thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice. May your friends and family take comfort in knowing that you will NEVER be forgotten and will FOREVER be a hero! Until one day in Heaven we meet, keep walking your beat on the Golden Street looking over the thin blue line.

SGT Mark Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville PD, AR

September 13, 2007

Tim,
Wow, Coming up on three years since the accident and then your death. Does not seem possible that it has been that long. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. You being buried so close to my house helps. I find myself pulling into the cemetary from time to time and just driving by your grave. You're little (big) brother Joe is doing great. He has been on the department for a couple of months now and is still in training. There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to be as fine of an Officer as you were. Tracy, the girls, and the rest of your family will be in my prayers over the next three months. Love ya Brother!

Sgt. Michael Hobson
Joplin Police Department

July 7, 2007

Tim: I can't believe how fast the time has flown, It seems like it was just yesterday. I remember that day so clearly, It was the worst call out I ever had and ever hope to have. I remember meeting you in the court house. You always had time to sit and talk, You always treated me with more respect than alot of my fellow Deputies. Remember the rolling domestic you backed me on out west of town. When you showed up, I knew everything was going to be ok. Friends like you are hard to find. I really miss you brother. I haven't seen much of Tracy since those days in the Court House but she is staying strong. My brother, thanks for always being there. I know you help keep all of us a little safer.

Greg: I read your entry, Don't beat on your self like that, You did everything that you could have done. And there isn't anyone who can say any thing different. I know you still feel the pain, and you won't ever forget. Thats part of what makes us do what we do.

Wayne Smith
Friend / Granby Police / Former J.C.S.O.

June 27, 2007

You will never be forgotten. A true friend and exceptional officer, from the first day I met you in the academy. Sleep well.

Officer Christopher Creekmore
Seneca Police Dept.

March 30, 2007

Tim, it's been almost 2 and a half years since you were taken from us. I still have not been able to go back out to your grave since the funeral. I still have a hole in my heart. Tracy and your children are still in my prayers. You were a good friend, and I miss coming in and riding around with you.

Patrolmen M. Cooperrider
Diamond Police Department

March 5, 2007