Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of her friends and family. Rest now sister, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, Oregon

December 13, 2004

This is the kind of situation for which you cannot prepare or train. A member of the thin blue line is taken by a person who chose to get behind the wheel and senselessly kill another person. Compounding this fact is that the one who is gone from us is a police officer fighting the good fight. I know her family and colleagues are proud of her for the job she did everyday. I hope that her children are kept around law enforcement and can see the good in life from those who worked with their mom. You all will be in the prayers of the members of the International Association of Women Police. Godspeed, Melissa!

Officer Donna C. Wright
Purdue University Calumet Police Department-Hammond, IN

December 13, 2004

May you rest in peace.
God bless you and yours.

D/Sgt Rick Hudnall
Shelby County (Indiana) Sheriff's Dept.

December 13, 2004

To Officer Fosters family and Dept.

You have suffered a tragic loss
as she paid the ultimate cost
on that final, awful day
For you and yours we do pray
For your comfort and inner peace
And these tragedies to cease

Fare thee well Officer Foster
As you sign a higher roster
Thanks for your service here
For helping those far and near
Rest easy, your watch is done
And know we have the next one

Master Officer Adam Feazel
Altus Police Dept. OK

December 13, 2004

Officer Foster, You service and dedication will not be forgotten. Rest Easy !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo & Officer Amy Speran
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept.. LA

December 13, 2004

There is no greater waste of god's angels and protectors, than to lose one to preventable crime. I hope all officers remember Officer Melissa M. Foster, anytime they have the oppertunity to take a drunk driver off the road. May god bless all of the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Foster.


Joey Brackett - 916
Harriman Police Department, Tennessee

Ptl. J. Brackett
Harriman Police Department

December 13, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Melissa M. Foster and the Columbus Division of Police...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Melissa... 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

Fellow Officers of the Columbus PD, May you feel peace in knowing that Officer Foster is in a better place. May GOD be with the family and friends during this especially hard time.

CPL Robert Hawn
Palmetto Dunes Security, Hilton Head, Sc

December 12, 2004

Melissa,

Although I never met you, I learned a lot about you this past week. You touched many lives and your sacrifice will never be in vain. We thank you for your service. For you are gone, but never forgotten.

Officer Eric H. Brill (Retired)
Whitehall Division of Police

December 12, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Melissa did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Melissa be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Foster's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Melissa is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Melissa was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Foster for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

December 12, 2004

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

December 12, 2004

As we have just lost our beloved father/father in law on Nov. 13, 2004 to an intoxicated driver. (Bob Grim, Sr.) Please know our hearts and prayers are with Officer Foster's family, friends, and fellow LEO's. May God grant you strength. We can only say we know what you are feeling, the loss and whole in your heart is great. But, know that you are not alone. God bless you all.

Kelli Grim on behalf of the entire Grim family

wife of Det. Bobby Grim, Jr.
Daytona Beach Police Dept.

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

I wrote this some time ago while on duty.
The title is "Daddy's gone", but I will change the words to Mommy.

I lost my Mommy today...
A drunk driver took her life away...
A few beers is all he said he had...
Boy do I miss my Mom...

Mommy meant so much to me...
I can remember us playing ever since I was three...
She would take a minute each and every day...
To show me she cared and was there for me...

The driver said he couldn't remember just what happened...
To end Mommy's life and make a mess of ours...
Left of center or fail to yield...
Doesn't really matter, just the pain we feel...
Daddy's cryin' and Sis is a mess...
I just see the tears on Her dress...

Do we know when the end is near?
Or when that other person has had just one to many beer...
I say, probably not, but know, I'll shed a tear...
When the Policeman is at our door knocking, loud and clear...
Saying, they had just one to many beer...

I think I saw a tear in the officers eye...
I wondered if, He wanted to cry...
Thinking just maybe, He could of caught that guy...
Before he hit my Mommy, ending her life...

Any time we may go, so buckle up and take it slow...
As for Mommy...
She's gone now...
I guess I'll never know...

Chuck Hoffman 1c16 12-18-00

To her children and family, I mourn for you, be strong and know you still have a family, law enforcement.

Gods speed.

Deputy patrolman
Box Elder County Sheriff, UT.

December 11, 2004

You are now 10-7, 10-42

We'll take it from here....

RIP

Bobbie Schwartz
Reno County Ks 911

December 10, 2004

Words can not express the pain I see every day when I open this web site.

I lost my best friend and brother back in July..He is also listed on this special MEMORIAL PAGE.

My deepest sympathy to your department.

GOD bless you for the job you did...May GOD watch over your children and other family members...

Rest in Peace sister...

Deputy George Reed
Williamson County Sheriff's Office

December 10, 2004

My heart goes out to all of the Columbus Police Dept and to the family of Officer Foster. Such a terrible tragedy for such a terrific officer and mother. May God be with you in your time of need.

Patrol Officer Chris J. Rohner
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Dept. Newark,OH

December 10, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I did not know you, but I am sure you are up in heaven doing a great job protecting. I hope that you meet Gary another great police officer

Dispatcher Aarin
LCSO

December 10, 2004

May you rest in peace and your children know your kind heart.

Boone County Sheriff Dept. (INDIANA)

December 9, 2004

My condolences to the family of Officer Foster and her co-workers. My prayers are with you all. Hold to God's unchanging hands.

Jenelle/Support Staff
Gallup Police Department, NM

December 9, 2004

Thank you for paying the ULTIMATE scafrice so my family can sleep safer during the night.
To the family of Officer Foster, thank you for sharing her with us.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept.

December 9, 2004

Rest peacefully in the palm of God's loving hand. Our thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences to those you left behind. May they find comfort knowing that some day, you will all be reunited again, in a beautiful place. Thank you, Melissa, for your service.

Up North Michigan

December 8, 2004

God bless you officer Foster.
Another HERO called home to patrol the streets of gold. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of sorrow. Say hello to Officer Mark Vance.
GOD BLESS AND REST IN PEACE SISTER

Reserve Officer Johnson
Sullivan County Sheriffs Dept.-Tn

December 8, 2004

My prayers are with all the family and friends of Officer Melissa Foster. I never met her or her family, but I suffered a loss in August when my boyfriend was killed in the line of duty in Joliet, Illinois. I often visit this site to read other reflections. It is so sad to see so many wonderful people gone. I know how hard it is to lose someone so special. Hold tight to the memories and her love will never fade. God bless all her family and friends, especially during the holidays.

Tristen - girlfriend of fallen Illinois

December 8, 2004

R.I.P SISTER. THE SHIFT IS OURS NOW.

POLICE OFFICER RENE SANCHEZ
BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT,BOSTON MA

December 8, 2004