Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Hero, you've done your time in hell, now you can walk the streets of heaven. Gone, but never forgotten

December 22, 2004

May you rest in peace.

L.E.O. Wife
NJ

December 22, 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, son."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

December 21, 2004

The Law Enforcement community mourns another brother. My prayers go out to the Family and the Otero County Sheriff's Dept.

Officer J. Pacheco
Maryland Transportation Authority PD

December 21, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS DEP HEDMAN'S FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT IN THEIR LIVES. LOSING A LOVED ONE IS BAD, BUT MORE SO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. OUR CONDOLENCES TO ALL. MY BROTHER, MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. YOU SERVED WELL AND YOU ARE A HERO. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

December 21, 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 judgment 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"

Rest In Peace Brother, we have the watch from here.

A Brother in Blue

December 21, 2004

My heart and prayers go out to those who knew and loved this fine person.

Rest in peace.

Corrections Ofc. P. Hensley
DuPage County, Il. Sheriff's Office

December 21, 2004

Deputy Hedman,
May you rest in peace and may the Lord watch over your family. Thank you for your service.

Detective David J. Baca
Mesa P.D./Mesa, AZ.

December 21, 2004

May God Bless your family, Co-Workers and friends. It's time for you to rest in heaven. We'll patrol the streets of hell, Until we meet each other brother.

HONOR AND PRIDE.
REST IN PEACE.

Police Officer - Dan Ramirez
Bell Gardens P.D. / So. Cal.

December 21, 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 Robert did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Robert be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Hedman's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. 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 Robert 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 Robert was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Deputy Hedman 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 21, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Deputy Hedman. Thank you for serving your community proudly. You will be missed dearly but never forgotten my brother. God Bless!!!

Sergeant Kerry Clements
Las Cruces Police Department
Las Cruces, New Mexico

Sergeant Kerry Clements
Las Cruces Police Department

December 21, 2004

May God bless Deputy Hedman,his family and the Otero County law enforcement community.My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you in these very difficult times.

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

December 21, 2004

God bless this family you are in my thoughts and prayers

Donna hicks
surviving spouse lt.Glenn Hicks EOW 02-20-03

December 21, 2004

On behalf of the Stark County Sheriff's Office and its Honor Guard, we offer our condolences to the family of Deputy Hedman and to the members of the Otero County Sheriff's Office. We thank you for your service and the sacrifice made by you and your family. You will not be forgotten. May God bless you and your family.

Deputy C. D. Newman
Stark County Sheriff's Office / Canton, Ohio

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace.

Officer Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

December 21, 2004

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 his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, Oregon

December 21, 2004

We all feel your pain and our thoughts are with you. Each day I kiss and hug my wife and child because I don't know what will happen while I'm at work. Just know that your family will always be a part of ours and you will never be alone.

Patrolman Jason Quigley
Snyder Police Department

December 21, 2004

God bless you Deputy Hedman for you have made the ultimate price. May God look over your wife and children for they have lost a good man, husband and father. Peace brother, for we carry on the burden for you.

Ofc. Kevin C. Matthews
Huntsville P.D., AL

December 21, 2004

A deep debt of gratitude to you for your service! My deepest thoughts go out to your friends, family, and co-workers during this difficult time.

Salute

P.O.-Michigan

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace. Thank you so much for your
service. Condolences and best wishes for
your family.

Scot
Cloudcroft area resident

December 20, 2004

Rest in peace brother you will never be forgotten. My prayers are with you and your family.

Orange County SO (FL) Explorer

December 20, 2004

Please know that Dep. Hedman's death saddens us all. Our thoughts and prayers our with his family, friends and co workers. God speed.

Trooper Brian P. Scott
Maine State Police

December 20, 2004

Deputy Hedman:
Rest in peace Sir.. You and Your family are in our prayers.

Patrolman Joshua Adams
New Mexico State Police

December 20, 2004

To the Law Enforcement family of the Otero County Sheriff's Department, my condolences to the loss of your brother Deputy Robert Hedman. Just to inform you, the staff from the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department grieves and mourns with each and every one of you including the family of Deputy Hedman. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all!

Sergeant Robert Martinez
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department

December 20, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Robert, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

December 20, 2004