Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family, friends and co-workers my prayers are with you. I wish there was something I could say that would help you through this difficult time, but as everyone knows there is nothing.
The one thing that helped me was knowing that Clint loved being a police officer.
Officer Vance your family will miss you everyday, but we will never forget you. Look Clint up for me tell him we sure miss him everyday.

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

November 28, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers ~

My thoughts are with you. Vance, rest in peace...you're a blue angel now.

November 28, 2004

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER VANCE. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

POLICE OFFICER RENE SANCHEZ
BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT,BOSTON MA

November 28, 2004

A PART OF AMERICA DIED

Somebody killed a policeman today, and
A part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With his counsel demanding his rights,
While a widowed Mother must work for her kids
And spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he’d gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won’t fly at half-mast,
To his name, they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today.
It happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie’s side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died.

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

November 28, 2004

Hey bro. I just saw you the other night and had no idea what would happen a couple of days later. You were always friendly, professional, and eager to work. I wish this would never have happened or that I could change the outcome, but I can't. God speed friend. I will never forget you and will continue the fight in this war. Rest, we now have the watch. You have done your time in Hell.

State Trooper D Osborne and K/9 Coco
Tennessee Highway patrol

November 28, 2004

Ofc. Vance, Im so sorry for your loss, God bless you, your family and Co-workers. Please watch over us.

Det Tony Brisinte
Orange Co So Orlando FL

November 28, 2004

To Officer Vance family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

November 28, 2004

My heart and prayers go out to the family of Mark. I honor you Mark . . . duty called and you were there . . . you protected all of us. We all give "some", but you gave "all." I honor you, your name, your memory and for the ultimate sacrifice you mad protecting the citizens of Bristol, the great State of Tennessee and our nation. Mostly however, I honor you for answering the calling you heard a few years ago . . . to walk the path of the warrior . . . to protect your fellow man at the risk of serious bodily harm or death. Rest easy my brother. You're a Blue Angel now . . . we'll cover your post on our thin blue line. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

November 28, 2004

God Bless Officer Vance, his family, friends and all Brothers in blue. He gave the ultimate sacrafice for his community and will never be forgotten.

Ofc Brent Henard
Knox County, TN Sheriffs Office

November 28, 2004

May you rest in peace officer Vance.

L.E.O. Wife

November 28, 2004

My thougths and prayers are with Officer Vance's family, friends and co-workers. You will never be alone. Psalm 55:22

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

November 28, 2004

Being the Mother of a Police Officer myself....I can only imagine the heartbreak of Officer Vance's Mother and family. I send my deepest condolences to you. Always remember the hero that this Officer was. My thoughts and prayers are also sent to the friends and co-workers...
REST IN PEACE Officer Mark Vance.

Policeman's 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,
His comforting hand reduces fear to naught;
He makes me walk through streets of crime,
But He gives me courage and peace of mind.

He leads me by still waters in the path I trod,
And He says in Romans I'm a "minister of God,"
He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul,
For His name's sake He keeps me whole.

When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door,
I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more;
For Thou art with me every step of the way,
As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.

He prepares a table, especially for me,
As I work daily among life's enemies;
He gives me authority to uphold the law,
And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
Each day of my life through eternity;
As I long to hear Him say, "Well done...,"
When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun
Author Unknown

Mother of a Police Officer

November 28, 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 Detective J.D.Koeppen, 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

November 28, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the department. I will continue to work hard in your honor. You will be in my thoughts. You will be missed Brother Vance.

Trp Tim Wolfenbarger
Tennessee Highway Patrol

November 28, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to you. My husband Officer Alan Ragsdale, died 4 years ago on that same date. You were too young to die. May God grant you mercy and peace, and especially comfort. May your family ALWAYS remember you as the HERO that you are.

Shelly Ragsdale
widow

November 28, 2004

May the Lord continue to watch over your family, you will be missed by each and everyone of us even if we never met and our paths never crossed. We feel your co-workers and families pain. You have fought a great fight we will now carry the torch from here and I'm sure your co-workers will watch over your kids. Rest in peace my brother GOD BLESS YOU.

Sgt. J.L.Mayes
Shelby County Sheriffs Office

November 28, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have made the ultimate sacrifice for us, as you now watch over us, we will continue the fight for you, your family and your Department. Rest in peace my brother in blue.

Sgt. Robert Dooley
Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

November 28, 2004

R.I.P. Officer Vance. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Police Officer
Clearwater P.D., FL

November 28, 2004

Rest in peace our brother in blue.
Our Greatest Fear

Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear, and once again, I hold back a tear.

They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary, but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.

They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.

To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?

They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.

Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.

Brother, rest in peace..
Your family will be in my prayers.
What a tragedy...

Police Officer Jose Ortega
Village of Key Biscayne Police Dept. Miami, Fl.

November 28, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Mark, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage. God bless you, your family and friends.

November 28, 2004

You will be remembered Officer Vance.
God be with you and your loved ones.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

November 28, 2004

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS SAD TIME. MY GOD WATCH OVER THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS OF OFFICER VANCE, FALLEN HERO.

Communication Officer
TN

November 28, 2004

May God bless your family and all the officers and citizens of the Bristol PD. You all are in our prayers.

B. Giannini PII
Memphis Police Dept

November 28, 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 Mark Vance's family, friends, and co-workers with the Bristol Police Department.

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

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

November 28, 2004

blessed are the Peacemakers... rest easy. My heart goes out to the family, know he was a hero to all. He watches us from above. Ofr Vance, watch over your brothers in blue as they put on the uniform tonight.

LEO wife

November 28, 2004