Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family, friends and those of you in blue, not many people know the things we see, or the things we do, but Ofc. Chris Ruse you have done those things to help and teach others that have come in contact with you. No matter the size of the department that you work for, its the calls and the actions you take on those calls that reflects what kind of person you are. From what I've heard, Ofc. Ruse you will be greatly missed. Thank you from a fellow Brother in Blue.

Officer
Atlanta Police Department

January 2, 2005

Chris-
I met you last June when I was graduating from the academy. The first thing that you told me was that you were going to teach me the ropes. That first day riding in the car with you was day that I will never forget. I will never forget your voice and when you keyed up on the radio and said "108 to Radio 10-38" You always told me to be clear and listen. I remember riding around on night shift listening to the radio and you would stop a car, and I would always listen to see what you might say so all of us could get a laugh. The whole county never knew what you might say. Chris, I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. You always helped me with anything I could ever need. Like I always said you are a walking book of knowledge. May you rest in peace Sir. My prayers are with you and your family. You will be greatly missed. You may be 10-42 but you will always be 10-8 in our hearts.

Ricky Dodd

January 2, 2005

God Bless you for all your hard work and didication

jab9271 Chief inspector
South Wales police

January 1, 2005

CHRIS, I WAS WITH YOU ON YOUR FINAL DAY OF DUTY.I AM SORRY TO SAY I COULDNT DO MORE FOR YOU.I WILL MISS OR TALKS AND LATE DRIVE BYS ON THE HIGHWAYS.YOU WILL BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED AS A GREAT OFFICER.YOUR FAMILY WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS AND YOU WILL BE IN MY THOUGHTS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN A BETTER PLACE.WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE A SPECIAL ANGEL LOOKING DOWN OVER US AT GODS RIGHT HAND.

DEP.J.OGLE
JACKSON CO. SHERIFFS DEPT

January 1, 2005

"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
(No Man Wounds Me With Impunity)
Godspeed, job well done, sir. We've got it now.

Officer G. S. Geoffrion
Clarkston Police Department

January 1, 2005

To the family and friends of Patrolman Chris Ruse and also to the Pendergrass PD, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless

Sgt Lehr & Family
Newark, CA

January 1, 2005

Dear Chris,

Chris I can't beleive this has happended to you. You were the most caring and understanding persons I have ever known. You helped so many people and never asked anything in return. But now your work is done and you can rest. I will never forget all the great times we shared and all the things you tought me. I live day to day koning your in a better place watching over all of us who go out on the streets. In closing I would likr to express my deepest sorry to your family but no worries we will take care of them in anyway we can. I will see you later.

I love and miss you
Dustin 121

Officer Dustin Kaster
Winder Police Department

January 1, 2005

To the family of Officer Ruse and his fellow Officers. It saddens me to hear of this tragedy and you will be in our prayers.
Rest In Peace Brother In Blue.

TFC 975
GEORGIA STATE PATROL

January 1, 2005

Police Officer's Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
Who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.

Chris and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Deputy M. Steffman
Hall County Sheriff's Office

January 1, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Patrolman Chris Ruse. Thank you for you service and dedication. You are a true HERO and will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace brother.

FCO M.T. Hendrix
Raleigh PD

January 1, 2005

Chris,
The last time I worked a shift with you we were out at that same spot of your final stop. It was a white pick up truck with two occupants just like Wednesday night. They also ran from you and almost wrecked coming around the bend after the bridge. We have all made hundreds of stops just like you did that night. This is why its so hard to understand why. Its also a haunting feeling every time I reflect on on all the times I stopped a vehicle and got the cold chill we all know to well knowing somthings not right. It will change the way we all handle business while in uniform. When I saw your wife sitting in that room at the hospital and all these strange faces telling her that you are gone, I could only think how hard its got to be for her and your kids, but at the same time knowing that your wife knows that being a POLICE OFFICER is in your blood. Rest easy knowing that your family will be ok. You will be remembered as the one that served with honor,professionalism, respect for all while still keeping your whity humor, and out of this world ideas.I'm not gona say good bye, I know i'll see you again one day...

Officer Andrew Bielecki
Pendergrass Police Department

January 1, 2005

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 judgement 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"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

January 1, 2005

Chris,
I recieved a page on Wednesday night. I reported to the center by phone only to discover that we had an ofc shot. I was told we needed shift coverage and that I needed to come in. I asked who it was and was told that it was you. I was told then that you probably were not alright. I told Lynn what was going on and that I had to go to work. That was the longest drive to work I ever had to drive.
Lynn is truly devastated, as are others that you have known, helped and recruited along the way. To see the faces the other night was like a bad dream. I know that you will make sure everyone is alright from where you are now, my husband included, when he goes back out on the road. I know that Lynn will see you one day, but out of my own selfishness I hope it is no time soon. Lynn and I are very proud of you for what you did every day, and especially that night. I hope that you know why it had to be this way because no one here understands it. Please help us to understand from where you are at, as we are finding out more about how this tragedy could have been prevented. We are disgusted by the chain of events that have led to this, and how one person could have prevented all this from happening. We love you very much and hope that God has taken you to a place that you love. we will truly miss you. We will keep your legacy alive. Although you are 10-7, 10-42 forever you will not be forgotten!
Semper Fi, We love you!

C/O Melissa Blocker & Det Ofc Lynn Block
Jackson Co 911 & Banks Co SO

January 1, 2005

Thank you Officer Ruse for your tireless service to the citizens of all the communities you have served in Georgia. Another hero of the badge has been taken simply because you wore a badge of justice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janeen and all Chris' family members.
C.O.P. S.will be there to help rebuild your shattered lives.

Roger Parker
Concerns Of Police Survivors - GA Chapter

January 1, 2005

"On This His Final Day"
It was eight o'clock on Wednesday Night
When the pickup truck went by,
Ruse turned on his blue lights and the truck began to fly.
It should have been just a ticket if the truck had stopped that night,
but he decided to test the officer and cruised nearly out of sight.
The driver lost control and rolled it, as Ruse watched the action play, he approached the pair with caution, on this his final day.
The pair shot in his direction and he had no where to go, they shot him in an ambush in the blue lights eerie glow.
As he lay in those final moments, I'm sure his family was on his mind, an old soldier's final battle, because two criminals crossed the line.
He hadn't been a cop too long, the military had been his life,
He lived to serve his country, and build a future for kids and wife.
He lived and served with HONOR, and he died in just that way, Trying to make life a little better, On this....his final day.


Written by Danny Dunbar
"In Honor of Officer Chris Ruse"
December 29th, 2004
You are gone but not forgotten!!
We Love You Chris!!
Semper Fi!

Fellow Police Officer and Brother in Blu
Jackson County area Law Enforcement

January 1, 2005

Chris, you were so giving and caring of others. You put others first ahead of you and never thought about your needs. You were an inspiration to all you have met, taught and came in contact with. You never knew a stranger and you always had a smile or grin on your face. You were well known for your humor and the sayings you always left behind before departing where ever you were at. I never knew of any person that you have met not like you, you are a God Send.
As far as the suspects who acted so cowardly that evening by taking a hero's life, if they would have got the chance to talk with you I KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED YOU TOO. Your the type of person that can walk into a room and brighten it and raise anyone's spirit with your witty humor.
You were clumsey at times but managed to always intertwine humor into it.
I have seen you give so UNSELFISHLY and not even think twice about it.
Even people who you arrested or wrote tickets to always had something positive to say. For example you pulled a women over for speeding while working in Arcade, she had a small child in the vehicle with her. You went to your patrol car and returned with a balloon and gave it to the little girl.
This all still feels like a dream, a life taken by two callous cowards afraid to accept responsibility for their actions. I'm still waiting to wake up! It just feels like yesterday you were at my house talking to my little boy and joking around with my wife.
Chris, I will miss you alot, the talks we had, your jokes, humor, your zest for life and your love of others.
I love you Chris!!

Officer Jeff Whitmire
Arcade Police Department, GA.

January 1, 2005

You will never be forgotten.............rest in peace my Marine brother. Semper Fi.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

January 1, 2005

As I watched the news the other night, it was if someone had hit me in the chest with a sledge hammer. The frustration and sadness that overwhelms the soul of a fellow officer hearing a news anchor say; "Officer Down, we are following breaking news in Jackson County." My wife gathered by my side to listen to the news broadcast. See, I had been assigned to the Gainesville office of the State Patrol, which patrols Jackson County. I had gotten to know many of the local officers in all of the counties, and was very worried that it was someone that I knew. I gathered myself and contacted a friend of mine with the Pendergrass Police. I was happy and still saddened that I got in contact with her. All I could say is that I was there for them I they needed me. I knew what she, and all of his fellow officers would be going through as our department had recently lost one of our own as well. It saddens all of us that another true HERO, yes he was a true HERO, has been taken from our ranks. My blessings go out to Officer Ruse's family and children. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and shelter you with the wings of angels. Officer Ruse, thank you for you service that you gave us here, now please keep us under your guard from your watch in heaven.

TFC James M. (Buck) Buchanan
Georgia State Patrol

December 31, 2004

May you rest in peace, and may Gos be with your wife, and children.

Paul Holbrook
Riverwatch Middle School, Forsyth County GA

December 31, 2004

Chris,
We only saw each other in passing most of the time, but I always knew you were there working hard. God bless you and your family.You will truly be missed.

Sgt. Collin Blackwell
Commerce Police Department

December 31, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rest in peace brother.

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

December 31, 2004

Brother Ruse you are a true warrior, please watch over your brothers and sisters as we take up your fight from here...To the family I offer my prayers and support and I pray that justice will be executed in this case.

"The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion..........."

PSO Robert Caudill
Bristol TN Police Dept

December 31, 2004

On behalf of all Honor Guard members in Broward County Florida, may you now rest in peace and watch over all of us from here on out. We have the watch now. God Bless the men and Women of the Pendergrass Police Department, family and friends.

Broward County Florida Multi-Agency Honor Guard

December 31, 2004

You want to wake up and see it was just a dream. I went through this with you many yrs ago in Winder. You were beat bad. Some thought you wouldn't come back. But you can't keep a good man down. You have given so much to your community. You have been a good friend. I was there again with you on the radio Wed. 12-29-2004 when you were taken so brutally. I couldn't believe this was happening again. Chris I knew you well. I've worked with you for the 12 yrs you were in Law Enforcement. I attended fire training with you while both of us were on the volunteer fire department. All of us will miss you so much. I'll miss the faxes and the laughs you gave us. Most of all I will miss my friend. REST IN PEACE. God be with your family, friends, fellow officers and dispatchers. Time to say goodbye to one of the best ever wear a badge. 785 is 10-7 10-42 We love you!

CO TAMMY HAWKINS
JACKSON CO 911 JEFFERSON GA.

December 31, 2004

Semper Fidelis brother, from a future Marine and Police Officer. We have the watch now.

Explorer Timcho
Philadelphia Police Explorers

December 31, 2004