Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sometimes the ending is the beginning.
Your time here on earth has ended but your legacy is just beginning.
You touched so many others and you put no one man asunder.
Thank You Chris....

T.L.N. T.S.G.B.

March 5, 2005

GOOD MORNING CHRIS, HOW IS HEAVEN GOING?
WE MISS YOU HERE ON EARTH AND WISH TO HAVE YOU BACK HERE WITH US.
BUT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL OF US, SOMETIMES HE PICKS THE PRETTIEST FLOWERS FOR HIS GARDEN. CHRIS YOU WERE AND ARE STILL TRUELY AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND TO ALOT OF PEOPLE. YOU HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES AND HAVE HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE. YOU GAVE SO UNSELFISHLY OF YOUR SELF LIKE THE SUMMER YOU USED TO WORK AT FORT YARGO STATE PARK ON YOUR DAYS OFF WITHOUT BEING PAID. YOU ENJOYED LIFE SO MUCH, YOU HAD A ZEST FOR INSPIRING OTHERS IT SEEMED AND A YOU HAD A VERY HUGE HEART. I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I EVER HAD MET YOU, YOU KISSED MY EX-WIFE'S HAND IN THE MAJOR'S OFFICE AND SPOKE TO HER IN FRENCH. YOU WERE MY F.T.O. FOR A BIT, I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU, AND NOT TO MENTION MY NECK WAS SORE AT THE END OF THE DAY FROM LOOKING AT YOU AND LISTENING TO YOU TALK. YOU HAD ALOT OF STORIES TO TELL, BUT THEY WERE LIKE PROVERBS.
I REALLY MISS YOU ALOT CHRIS, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY....I WILL!!!!!!!!!

March 3, 2005

Rest in peace sir, you were a good D.A.R.E. teacher and cop.
Thank You for keeping me out of trouble.

March 1, 2005

Chris,
I am one of the blessed people in this world that had the pleasure or working with you on the same rotation (my neighbor to the north as you would say) and I wish to say thank you for the memories and the job you did! I have looked over my shoulder several times and saw your grin there and will never forget it. When the girls at 911 (and frank) were not keeping us busy we had time to spend just with other people usually at the "north precinct" swaping old war stories and getting to know the people you worked with both professionaly and on a personal level. I have been in the filed several years and it is very hard to hear of any fellow brother or sister falling in the line of duty but it really hits home when its someone you know and work with. I thank you for everything and for making the ultimate sacrafice that all of us talk and joke about and never think it could happen to us or one of our own. My heart goes out to your wonderful family that you always spoke so highly of, I believe I share the same fealings as alot of fellow officers in saying that you need not worry anymore, no more night shift, no more overtime or missed games or meals, you work is done and its our turn to cover the shift , enjoy your hard earned rest and may it be in peace, we will take it from her brother , should your family ever need anything at all , we are here,
Always and forever !

Thank you again Chris
You will truly be missed

Former Sgt. Andrew Fazekas
Formerly Jefferson Police Dept(ga)

March 1, 2005

Chris,

It's been a few months since you've been gone and the world just seems to be a darker place without you. In the time that I knew you I can say, without a doubt, that you never let anyone down. I'll always remember you helping to get my wedding off the ground and even teaching me how to do minor repairs to that old truck I used to have.

Laura was in California the night you were taken from us. I had to call her and let her know. Like all of us, she was devastated. She wishes she could have been here for your family.
I've taught Lil Greg a lot about you and about how Law Enforcement officers deserve our respect and admiration. He left a small American flag at your grave..
I wanted to let you know that you are more than just extended family to me. I consider you to have been my Father in Law during the time your niece and I were married and a friend afterwards...even though communication between myself and your family stalled after the divorce.

I'm sorry for that.

You are truly a good man, Chris. My family will remember you always.

Love and respect,

Greg Best

February 27, 2005

We may have never had the pleasure of knowing you but you are still our brother. May God lay his hand upon your family and be with them always. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and for that we thank you. God Bless!
From all of the officers of the Jesup Police Department.

Jesup Police Department (GA)

February 25, 2005

Still thinking about you Chris and still missing you alot. This place isn't the same without you. You made our nights and kept us on our toes. You also made us laugh and smile. Its so hard to let go. We still think about your family and hope they are doing well. Its been really busy around here, not to mention very interesting. Your opinions always welcome. I miss them. And from the whole shift we miss you much!!!

Tammy Hawkins C/O
Jackson Co 911

February 21, 2005

Happy Valentine's Day Chris. We still have not forgot about you and we won't either. We all miss you so much and it feels like a dream that your not here.
I love you Chris!!

Jackson County Government

February 15, 2005

"Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. "Thou shall live together in love, insomuch that though shalt weep for the loss of them that die." Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. We were born to die and we die to live. As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven...

Suzanne T. Tompkins
friend

February 6, 2005

Chris and family-
I am so grateful for the time that I had with you here. You were such a great example to me and all who knew you. You were truly about the Lord's work, in your personal life and at work. I am so thankful for your service to country, community, church and family. I only hope my life will mean something to people the ways yours has to so many. Your memory will live on forever and I know that myself along with your family and countless other friends await the day when we shall meet again. "Till we meet"...

Love, Cecily Reuter and family

Cecily Reuter
friend

February 5, 2005

Rest in Peace Sir

Inspector Hans Jlibech
3Rd Co. Criminal Inv. Berlin

February 5, 2005

Tears Of A Cop
I have been where you fear to go...
I have seen what you fear to see...
I have done what you fear to do...
All these things I've done for you.

I am the one you lean upon...
The one you cast your scorn upon...
The one you bring you troubles to...
All these people I've been for you.

The one you ask to stand apart...
The one you feel should have no heart...
The one you call the man in blue...
But I am human just like you.

And through the years I've come to see...
That I'm not what you ask of me...
So take this badge and take this gun...
Will you take it? Will anyone?

And when you watch a person die...
And hear a battered baby cry...
Then so you think that you can be
All those things you ask of me...?

Chris thank you for all that you have shown me and taught me, I will never forget you. You will live on in my heart and mind everyday.
I will see you again on Heaven's beat one day....until then "May the fleas of a thousand camels' infest the armpits of your enemies!"

-Anonymous- (Author unknown)

Officer Jeff Whitmire 107 (Catfish)
Arcade Police Department, GA.

February 2, 2005

CHRIS,

I REALLY MISS HEARING YOU ON THE RADIO. THE WAY YOU WOULD SAY "785 TO RADIO" AND "I SAY AGAIN" YOU REALLY DID BRIGHTEN UP EVERYONES DAY WHEN YOU WOULD SPEAK. I KNOW THOMAS REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU BOTH IN ARCADE AND IN PENDERGRASS. I KNOW HE LEARNED A LOT FROM YOU IN HIS FTO WITH YOU.(THANK YOU) HE WOULD COME HOME AND SAY HOW MUCH YOU LIKED TO TALK. WHICH I SOON LEARNED FOR MY SELF IN DISPATCH. YOU WOULD KEEP US BUSY WITH YOUR TRAFFIC STOPS. I ESP LIKED WHEN YOU WOULD GO 10-95 W/ A KITTY OR DOG. IT WAS NICE HEARING SOMEONE WHO LOVED DOING THERE JOB AND TRYING TO MAKE IT ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE ELSE.
I KEEP REMEMBERING THE CHRISTMAS DINNER @ PPD. YOU AND YOUR WIFE WERE SO HAPPY. YOU WERE YOUR CHEERFUL SELF AS ALWAYS. THAT'S HOW I WANT TO REMEMBER YOU, WITH THAT SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND THE WAY YOU WOULD NOD YOUR HEAD WHEN TALKING. I MISS YOU SO MUCH....

DISPATCH
JACKSON CO SHERIFFS OFFICE

February 1, 2005

Rest in peace my fallen brother and God be with the family in this time of need.

Patrolman Wayne Burtz
Life University Police Department

February 1, 2005

You were on my mind. Miss you so much!
This nightshift just is not the same without you. You were the reason to smile and laugh. Our nightshift misses you. WE LOVE YOU CHRIS!!

Tammy Hawkins CO
Jackson County 911

February 1, 2005

I'm in regular e-mail contact with Sgt. O'Keefe from Woodstock PD and he told me about the death in the line of duty of Officer Ruse. We in Scotland do not bear the pain of seeing officers die with any regularity, but we feel the pain and loss when any Police officer is killed in the line of duty.

I wish to express my condolences to Officer Ruse's family and to his surviving Police Colleagues at Pendergrass PD.

SPC 8134 Kristian Flucker
Lothian & Borders Police, Scotland.

January 31, 2005

Rest in peace, Brother, and God bless.

445

January 30, 2005

To Chris' family, my heart goes out to all of you; those who were "real" family and those who were "work" family. My husband has been an officer for several years now and Chris' death has hit very close to our home and our hearts. Please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.

Wife of a Police Officer
Georgia

January 29, 2005

Hey Chris it's me again, today is the first unfortunate month you have been gone from us here on earth. I couldn't help thinking about you.
I gave a girl a courtesy ride today and she asked me if I knew you. I told her I did and she said you were her DARE teacher in her elementary school. What a profound impact you had on so many people, you have left your legacy behind and to continue.
You were a true hero and you still are in my eyes, I just still can't grasp the concept that you are gone.
I see pickup trucks like the one you used to drive (that old white one with the Marine Corps tag on front) and can't help to look to see if it's you driving.
I've seen guys go by who look like you and I have to stop and remind myself that it's not you. You will never be replaced or forgotten as long as I have a breath in my body and a beat in my heart.
Your death was not in vain!! Chris, I'll talk to you later and I love you!!
J.

January 29, 2005

I was working the night your senseless murder ocurred. I unfortunatley could not leave my post. I will miss our conversations and your sense of humor. I always knew that you were a great man but never knew how great until you were gone. It hurts me that I did not get a chance to know you better. One day I will get that chance. Your in a better place now. You wont be forgotten Chris.

SRO Jody M. Spivey
Commerce PD

January 28, 2005

Good morning Chris,
Do you have any new jokes or quirky sayings you have learned can't wait to hear them. I think about you constantly it seems day in and day out. You wouldn't believe what one of the local news paper editor's have written about your death. He wrote it was a result of "Pendergrass being a speed trap" you still have support down here as we have it from up above.
Each day that I put on my uniform I want to police like you. You said we came from the old school type of policing where you treat others as they want to be treated.
I got a picture of you where your washing your patrol car smiling from ear to ear. It was the simpleist things in life that made you happy.
I carry you in my heart and mind every day. I can't wait to see you again Chris. Thank You for showing me how to be a real cop.
I love you!
J.

A close friend

January 28, 2005

I haven't forgot about you Chris.
You are in my thoughts and on my mond every day.
You will always be may hero!!
Love Ya!!

January 27, 2005

To Protect And Serve... You took an oath and you gave the ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace fellow brother in blue.

Patrol Officer
Warner Robins P.D. GA

January 23, 2005

Chris and I went though the Riverside County Sheriff's academy together some twenty-four years ago. Our lockers were side-by-side and he slept above me in the trainee barracks. Upon graduation, we were both assigned to the Blythe Sheriff's Station (desert), located on the Colorado River at the Arizona/California border. Although Chris chose to move on to greener pastures shortly thereafter, he left an indelible mark on myself as well as everyone else he knew. His stories and quotes were legendary among his academy-mates and fellow deputies.

In reading some of the other tributes left by the officers, friends and family members Chris left behind, I see that he never changed after leaving California. It didn't surprise me a bit to see endearing comments from school children and the people of the communities that he served.

On behalf of the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and peace officers everywhere, I want to thank Chris for his dedication, caring and service through the years. He did not die in vain and will always be remembered for the father, husband, son and fine man that he was.

Lieutenant Henry Sawicki
Riverside County Sheriff, California

January 20, 2005

Officer Ruse...I was working in dispatch when I just happened to click on the news website and see the headline that a North Georgia patrolman was killed after a vehicle pursuit. Every time I hear of an officer being killed in the line of duty, my heart gets a little heavier. In April of 2004 one of our officers was shot after a high-speed vehicle pursuit. Thankfully he raised his arm as a defense and the bullet shattered his forearm instead of killing him. He will be in physical therapy for many years and I don't think he'll ever go back to the road...but our Chris is still here to kiss his family goodnight. That's a luxury you and your family don't have, and for that I am sorry.

A 911 Dispatcher
Houston County 911

January 20, 2005