Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Nielson. You will all be in my prayers forever. Hold on to the beautiful memories you shared with Tim and be proud of the hero he was in his lifetime. His life will be an example for so many. God bless all of you.

Laurie Lawn
wife of fallen officer Richard Lawn EOW 7/28/03

September 14, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Patrolman Tim Nielson.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 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Patrolman Nielson's wife, children, family, freinds and co-workers. We are all here for you praying and lifting you up. Psalm 55:22

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

September 14, 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 14, 2004

Our family sends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of Patrolman Nielson.

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

September 14, 2004

To the family,friends and co-workers of Patrolman Tim Nielson. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We mourn with you.

Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey

September 14, 2004

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

September 14, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Tim, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and courage.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

September 14, 2004

Deepest regrets and sorrows for the family of Tim, and his entire department as well. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten.

Officer Steven Lindsay
Austin Police Department, TX

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 Officer Tim Nielson's family, friends, and co-workers with the Joplin Police Department.

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

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Patrolman Nielson. His duty here is done. May God bless his wife and children. Please know that others are thinking of you.

Jennifer Groover
Daughter of Probation Officer Tal Groover E.O.W. 7-9-2004

September 14, 2004

All give some, you gave all.

Ofc. Patrick K. Davis #1495
Omaha Police Department

September 14, 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 14, 2004

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

Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl

September 14, 2004

My heart and prayers are with this young officer's wife, children, parents, family, friends and coworkers. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. May you rest in peace now Patrolman Nielson. To Patrolman Nielson's children know always that your dad is a true hero always.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

September 14, 2004

It takes a special kind of person to be a police officer. A person that rushes in to help when others would flee is a special person. Patrolman Tim Nielson was that kind of special person.
Thank you sir for your dedication to duty. You will never be forgotten.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Michigan

September 14, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Nielson my prayers are with you. I wish there was something I could say that would help you at the difficult time, but there is'nt anything that anyone can say or do to help you at this time. Just know that there are a lot of people that are praying for you. Remember all of the good times and memories, and know that Tim and many other officers are looking down on all of us and watching over everyone from heaven.
The one thing that help me through the nightmare was I knew Clint loved being a police officer and would not have traded places with anyone, unless it was another officer.
Patrolman Nielson your family will miss you everyday, but we will never forget you. Look Clint up for me, tell him we miss him everyday... Thank you for your sacrifice, you gave your all...

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

September 14, 2004

our hearts and prayers go out to the family and fellow co-workers. may god help to ease your hearts and minds and get you thru all of this.
god bless you all,
t.c. crissy oravits
master trooper chris oravits ncshp
eow monica carey 09-14-2001

telecommunicator crissy oravits and fami
clayton police dept clayton nc

September 14, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CO WORKERS OF PATROLMAN NIELSON DURING THIS TRAGIC TIME IN THIER LIVES. MY BROTHER, YOU ARE A HERO. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

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

September 14, 2004

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, grieve over the loss of Patrolman Tim Nielson. Condolences and prayers for his loved ones, Police family, and Friends. Patrolman Nielson....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 14, 2004

I commend Officer Nielson and all other Officers who attempt to save people and end up making the ultimate sacrifice.
It seems so unfair.
Tracey, I am SO sorry for your loss and I will pray for God to give you strength in these times and always.

wife of an officer

September 14, 2004

You will be remembered Officer Nielson. My condolence to your family and friends.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

September 14, 2004

My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Nielson. What a horrific and tragic story. Once again, another officer demonstrates his courage and selflessness and tragicly loses his life.
I am sad for his wife and children and hope that someday they will find the strength to get past the pain and cherish the memories they hold in their hearts. He is forever a hero and will never be forgotten.
Officer Nielson, please watch over your brothers and sisters in blue.
May you rest in peace.

Wife of an officer

September 14, 2004

I am truly sorry to learn of Officer Nielson's death. He fought a valiant battle. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family and friends. I also pray for physical and emotional healing of the other officer who was injured. You will not be forgotten Officer Nielson. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County, Illinois Sheriff's Department

September 14, 2004

Tim, thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you, your family, and the Joplin Police Dept.

GOD SPEED

Nick Booe / Patrolman
Carl Junction, Missouri Police Dept.

September 14, 2004