Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.


"Step forward now, policeman. How should 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 who carry badges can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays and at time my talk was rough... And sometimes I've been violent, because the streets are awful 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 times 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 all that grand.
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."


There was 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 borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heavens streets.
You've done yor time in hell."

(Author Unknown).

Tim,
I never really had the chance to work with you, but have spoken with several of your fellow Officers at JPD,and they speak so highly of the man you were. you will be greatly missed by them. As well as the rest of your fellow brother law enforcement officers.

Deputy Devin Marshall
Jasper County Sheriff's Office, (Missouri)

September 17, 2004

Patrolman Nielson, Thank you for your service and dedication to Law Enforcement. May God comfort your family and the Joplin Police Dept.

Jennifer Upton
Johnson Police Dept.
Johnson, Arkansas

Jennifer Upton
Johnson Police Dept. Johnson AR

September 17, 2004

To Patrolman Nielson family, friends, and the Joplin Police Department. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Patrolman Nielson for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

September 17, 2004

We are truly sorry for your loss. Ptn Nielson will never be forgotten.

Festus P.D. MO.

September 17, 2004

Tim,
Thank you for your service. It will NEVER be forgotten.
I pray every day for your family and co-workers. May God comfort them and hold them close during their times of need.

Fellow Officer

September 17, 2004

My deepest sympathy to the Nielson family. His actions display just how brave he was. I am proud to say he is my brother in blue. May God bless your family and I pray you find comfort knowing he is with the Lord.

Patrolman Douglas
Washington Police

September 17, 2004

Thank you for you service. You are in my prayers.

Officer S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

September 16, 2004

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

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2004

"Greater love hath no man than a man who will lay down his life for another"

In the eyes of God a sparkle appears, then a few short words, He says "Let Tim Nielson now come near, a new warrior will soon appear, ready for battle and strong too, yes he has proven it all to me and you Welcome Home Son"

Police Officer Scott Parker
Pelican Bay Police Dept. Texas

September 16, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you!

Shannon
concerned citizen

September 16, 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 upon 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 thousands 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 16, 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 Patrolman Neilson 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 16, 2004

Officer Nielson you served the State of Missouri and this nation with pride and honor. You gave your life so your community would be safe. You, your family, the Joplin Police Department, and your fellow officer who was injured, are in the Cameron Police Department's prayers. The men and women of the Cameron Police Department salute your service and dedication. Rest in peace my brother until we meet again.

Chief L. Corey Sloan
Cameron, MO Police Department

September 15, 2004

Just want to take the time to offer my condolensces to the family and co-workers of Patrolman Nielson. What seperates members of law enforcement from the general public is a simple thing. Inside of each meber of law enforcement is the drive that makes us run towards danger while the general public flees it. It is not something that is easily explained, but is displayed on a hourly basis throught the country. Today I will remember the actions of Patrolman Nielson. Without rules there is anarchy. Without Law Enforcement there is chaos.

Detective Patrick J. Donohue
New York City Police Department

September 15, 2004

Rest in peace Partolman Nielson. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

September 15, 2004

Once again, we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Nielson. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

September 15, 2004

In loving memory of Tim Nielson:
3 years ago on the date of your death, we lost a beautiful deputy herein Whatcom County, Washington.The pain is indescribable as you are now discovering. Thank you, Tim for your supreme sacrifice and we regret that your life was cut short too soon. There is now a huge void that no one can fill. God bless your family, friends and co-workers. Our hearts are heavy with grief and we share in your sorrow.
One day at a time, sweet Jesus,
That's all I'm asking from you.
Please, give me the strength to do everyday, What I have to do.
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus,
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way,
One day at a time...Amen
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

September 15, 2004

Patrolman Nielson,

I hope you can Rest in Peace now Brother...My thoughts and prayers are with your family and the Joplin Police Department. You will NEVER be forgotten..

Officer
NC

September 15, 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 15, 2004

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO TODAY, PATROLMAN NIELSON WAS DOING HIS JOB WHEN HE WAS TAKEN FROM US. GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN, YOUR JOB IS DONE. TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY, PLEASE TURN TO GOD AND HE WILL CONFORT YOU.

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

September 15, 2004

Another brother in blue gone. To the Family of Patrolman Nielson, may God grant you peace during this difficult time. Brother we'll take it from here. Thank you for a job well done.

Officer II Jorge Pacheco
MD Transportation Authority PD

September 15, 2004

God Bless You. God Bless the men and woman of Joplin PD during this time. God Bless your family officer Nielson. Keep an eye on the rest of us down here continuing the fight.

Deputy
Southern California

September 15, 2004

To the family of officer Nielson, with love and sympathy on your terrible loss. You are in my prayers.

a colleague from the UK

September 14, 2004

I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, friend, and co-worker. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I wish nobody had to go through losing a loved one in the line of duty. Such a heartache. But the Lord carries us through, even when we don't feel His presence.

Bryce Mazur, Wife of Deputy Andrew Mazur
EOW 8/17/2003 -- Greenville County Sheriff's Office, SC

September 14, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Patrolman Tim Nielson and the Joplin Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Tim... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

September 14, 2004