Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Mark E. Vance and the Bristol Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Mark... 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

December 13, 2004

THANK YOU

TRP. M.D.WILLIAMS
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

December 12, 2004

If the officer must give his life
Then we must pick up the weight
We must cry and tear, give a salute
And comfort his family of his fate

The brass will be more polished tomorrow
As we strive to be at our best
We will choke with overwhelming feelings
As we lay our brother down to rest

He never thought of him self as a hero
But only a defender of what was right
From the early morning details
To the load parties late at night

The honor guard is ready now
And flag is folded crisp
We fight the pain, as we stand shoulder to shoulder in the rain
My dear god, we were never prepared for this

We recall his last laugh we can
And cherish his last remembered sight
We will watch out children more closely now
And hold the wife twice as close tonight

We must where the uniform more proudly tomorrow
And remember his sacrifice was true
We must never forget our fallen comrade
Because we are Policemen too

December 11, 2004

As I come out of the Police Academy and into the world of violence that awaits me, I will never forget the officers that served before me. Your work here is done and now please keep watch over us as we protect the ones that still remain.

Timothy Woodward
Schoolcraft Police Academy

December 11, 2004

Rest in peace Mark.....

You have done your job and now we will finish the watch...

Watch over all of us and if needed give us that little tap on the shoulder if you see something that we don't...

GOD bless you and your family....

Deputy George Reed
Williamson County Sheriffs Office

December 10, 2004

Togetherness~

I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the same easy way you always have. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it always was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past. Nothing has been lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before-- only better. Infinitely happier. We will be one, together forever. -Author unknown.

My deepest sympathy for those who lost Mark. May peace and love surround you always.

B. Dallas
someone unknown.. touched by Mark's life.

December 10, 2004

To the family of Officer Mark Vance: Our department deeply regrets the the loss of your hero. May God bless you.

Sgt. Dan Smith
Martinsville, Va Police Dept.

December 10, 2004

You did your time on earth, now watch over us from above.

Boone County Sheriff Dept. (INDIANA)

December 9, 2004

I come back again tonight, sleep evades me..In my daily thoughts and prayers, you each remain..the family, the friends, the fellow officers...he is in good hands, I have no doubt. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices made and my heart aches...
Blessings and Love to all~

Karla Perryman
a neighbor in Tennessee

December 9, 2004

To the Vance family and the Bristol Police Department. On behalf of the Shelby County SWAT Team we extend our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Lt. Dale Lane SWAT Team Commander
Shelby County Tennessee Sheriff's Office

December 8, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with your Department, and especially with the friends and family of your fallen friend. GOD BLESS this HERO.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Officer Mark Vance
will never be forgotten.

Invest. Mike Bradford-Ret
Tallahassee (FL) Police Dept

December 8, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

December 8, 2004

I will never forget you. My life is better because you touched it. I know you will be there to help protect our friends and family at BTPD. You are 10-8 for the Lord now, and I know you will serve beside him as fabulously as you served the citizens of Bristol, TN. To his family, I pray for you to find solace and with God's help...justice will prevail!

137-Central
Bristol TN Police Dept

December 7, 2004

Rest in peace Ofc. Vance, May God Bless, and Keep you.

M/D W. Cornaz
Orange County S.O., Orl., Fl.Rest

December 7, 2004

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will not be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

December 7, 2004

From those of us behind the mic

who never really see the sights

We give to you the honor

and respect you so deserve,

With hope of being comrads

and seen for what we're worth.

I'm not on the accident scene

to see the blood and gore,

I see the answers in your eyes

when you walk in the door.

I need not ask you questions,

the answers matter not.

All I can do is offer coffee,

yes, it's fresh and hot.


I'll talk with you and keep it light

and laugh at your bad jokes.

Don't think for a minute

that I don't really know

the battle raging in your mind

that humor covers . . . but your face belies.


I cannot stop the bullet

from the loaded gun

Nor light the darkened alley

through which you must run.

I cannot ward off the blows

you may suffer in a fight

Nor give you back the rest

you lose on sleepless nights.


I can make sure you have the facts

and face your call prepared.

I can make sure you're not alone

and get your backup there.

I can keep for you an efficient log

to make your report complete.

Most of all, I can pray for you

each night before I sleep.


Dear God . . . Please keep my guys safe

and lead them through the night.

Don't let them fall from snipers bullets

nor bleed from stabbing knives.

Save them from the drunk that drives

as they patrol our roads.

Return them safely to their wives

and let them always know . . .

those of us behind the mic

worry night and day.

They are the reason

that I kneel to pray

December 6, 2004

We are deeply saddened at Mark's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

December 5, 2004

May faith in God be your comforter in the coming days.

Retired Patrolman, Gary A Sorrells
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

December 5, 2004

A snuffed-out candle,
with long hours of light yet to give,
from it's little flame,
even if in the giving,
it itself is consumed.

It is sad,
to see a broken candle,
it's flame snuffed-out,
it's wick bent,
darkness surrounds it.

Had it not fallen,
shadows retreat,
from it's flickering little flame,
and with it's light,
kept safe we are.

Ariel G. Zabat M.D.
Zabat Emergency Clinic

December 5, 2004

Mark, thank you for your service. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace.

Cpl. Bruce P. Sigler
Lee County Sheriff's Office, Ft. Myers, Fl.

December 5, 2004

A true guardian angel. Mark will be missed.

Carina Rios
sister of a fellow Officer

December 5, 2004

May GOD bless you and your family Mark, thank you for your service.I will be praying for you and your family.

Senior Trooper L.G.Brown
Wisconsin State Patrol

December 4, 2004

ONCE AGAIN IT SADDENS ME TO READ WHERE ANOTHER OFFICER HAS DIED. TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY OF OFFICER MARK VANCE: YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO CARRY ON. TO OFFICER MARK VANCE: THANKS FOR BEING A MAN IN BLUE AND NOW YOU GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN.

CORPORAL ELAINE HUNTER
CHAMBERS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ANAHUAC, TEXAS

December 4, 2004

Officer Mark E. Vance

"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 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 badges
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 just got 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 so 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 judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unk.

God Bless! Always in our thoughts and prayers.

Trooper
Kentucky State Police

December 4, 2004

No one will ever figure out why these senseless acts continue to go on. Mark, rest in peace brother. You took the ultimate sacrifice and we will never forget that. Keep looking over your family from above and we will take care of them down here.

Sister in Blue

December 4, 2004