United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Reflections for Park Ranger Suzanne E. "Suzi" Roberts
As a former memeber of the U.S. National Park Service I am deeply saddened to learn of Park Ranger Roberts untimely passing. Her actions on that day are just valliant as any who have served and sacraficed...she was perorming her duty with the safety of the public first in her thoughts and actions. In 1973 Ken Patrick also lost his life while doing his duty in the Park Service and I wish to continue to honor his service and sacrafice as we mourn the loss of Park Ranger Roberts. God bless you both in your travel home.
OMY/COP/WPD
9/16/04
Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska
September 16, 2004
We've lost another member of the "thin green line", and our precious law enforcement family. Our deepest sympathy and sorrow to all of Suzanne's co-workers and loved ones. Our thoughts are with you. It sounds like Suzanne's loss and life epitomizes the COPS saying "It is not how they died that made them heroes, it is how they lived". She's a hero in both realms, and now heaven's parks have a new protector.
S/A Ann Melle
U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations
September 16, 2004
Rest in peace Sister Suzanne, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.
Thank you for you service and courage.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73
September 16, 2004
You are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol
September 16, 2004
rest in peace my fellow co-worker in the same department
mary cocke civilian
United state park police
September 16, 2004
I would like to extend my condolences to Park Ranger Roberts' family and friends, and to the men and women of the National Park Service. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Park Ranger Roberts, your duty here is done.
Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office
September 16, 2004
Service to community says it all, you will be missed by many. Watch the sun set now from high above.
Police Officer Scott Parker
Pelican Bay Police Dept. Texas
September 16, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Ranger Suzanne Roberts. We mourn your tragic loss.
Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
September 16, 2004
MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS OF RANGER ROBERTS DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT IN THIER LIVES. MAY THEY KNOW SHE WAS A HERO. MY SISTER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
September 16, 2004
Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Ranger Roberts
Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force
September 16, 2004
May you rest in peace now that you are in a safer place. May you watch over all of us to help guide us thru the day. May you be remembered for who you are, and the lives you touched.
God rest for you are not forgotten.
Inspector PA Gust
United States Customs Service (Detroit)
INSPECTOR PA GUST
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE-DETROIT
September 16, 2004
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Park Ranger Suzanne E. (Suzi) Roberts. Thank you for your service.
Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Michigan
September 16, 2004
The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall 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 of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully 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 time 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 so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.
There was a 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 born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA
September 16, 2004
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN....
LEO, MICHAEL EVANS
USDA FOREST SERVICE
September 16, 2004
Rest in peace Ranger Roberts...
My condolenses to your family,friends and co-workers.
Mother of a Police Officer
Oklahoma
September 16, 2004
Rest in peace ma'am.
Shannon
concerned citizen
September 16, 2004
Thank you for your service ma'am. May god be with you and your family during this tragic time. Rest in peace.
Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl
September 16, 2004
All of our Civilian and Military Police Officers thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Park Ranger family of Park Ranger Suzanne Roberts. We all "Thank You" Ranger Roberts for your commitment. What a MENTOR.
Detective
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC
September 16, 2004
God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will not be forgotten.
DE
St. Louis City Police
September 16, 2004
Rest In Peace, Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Police Officer
Chicago Police
September 16, 2004
Im sorry for the loss of Ranger Suzanne Roberts. She was protecting the place that I love so much. Im sorry for your loss and tragedy.
Sergeant Michael Zeigler
Streamwood P.D.
September 16, 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 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
Rest in Peace.
September 16, 2004
America lost another hero today, Park Ranger Roberts was doing her job, when she was taken away from us. to the friends and family please put your faith in god, he will confort you.
Sgt.W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga Pd
September 16, 2004
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