Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service, you are a hero; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

December 30, 2004

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Our Hearts and prayers are with you and you Children

Family of Richard Brooks E/O/W 7/16/04
NYPD, AFD, T.O.B. Constables

December 30, 2004

Patrolman Ruse, You will never be forgotten in any police officer's eyes. You put on the uniform the same way we all do every morning. You family will never forget you and your children will always remember their day as being a police daddy. Well the lord must have made it your time to come and made his calling. I hope one day when it is my day to come to the lord that you will be waiting at the front gate for me so we can trade police stroies.
And to the Ruse family keep strong and never give up, you will one day be wil you husband and family again, I promise you that.

Officer Bobby J. Smith
Republic Police Department
540 Civic Blvd.
Republic, Mo. 65738

Officer Bobby Smith
Republic Police Department

December 30, 2004

Thank you for your service Patrolman Ruse. You will not be forgotten. God Speed!

Officer
Maryland

December 30, 2004

What a deep personal loss all of us feel when a Brother falls in the line of duty. It is with deep regret that we read all the posting on this site.

May Our Lord and Savior comfort the families as they see 2004 pass and reflect on the ones they lost in the past years.

The Lumpkin Police Department extends sympathy to the family, fellow officers and freinds of Officer Ruse.

Chief J. D.
Lumpkin Police Department

December 30, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and the Pendergrass Police Department. May you rest in eternal peace my brother!

Officer Steve Redding #2027
Columbus, Ohio Div. of Police

December 30, 2004

Rest in peace and thank you for serving. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your family is in our prayers.

Ofc. J Liddle
Athens-Clarke P.D.

December 30, 2004

Rest in Peace,Your job is done.Our prayers go out to your friends and family. You have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Sgt.C.Harrison
H.C.S.O.

December 30, 2004

Rest in peace Patrolman Ruse... My prayers are with your wife and family in this time of great sorrow. Thank you for your dedication to your job.

L.E.O. Wife

December 30, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Chris Ruse's family, friends, and co-workers with the Pendergrass Police Department.

To our Georgia brother in blue, may you rest in peace. The watch is ours now.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

December 30, 2004

TO THE FAMILY OF PATROLMAN RUSE MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. HE WILL BE WITH ALOT OF OTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HEAVEN WATCHING OVER FELLOW OFFICERS LIKE MYSELF.REST IN PEACE YOUR WORK ON EARTH IS DONE.

CPL SENIDA GONZALEZ
TIFT CO SHERIFF'S DEPT

December 30, 2004

My prayer all week long was that the number of law enforcement officers killed this year would not climb any higher. God needed another angel on the streets of heaven, and he picked Patrolman Ruse to join the other blue angels. My heartfelt condolences to the family, who is without a doubt, suffering and missing their husband and father. Please find comfort in knowing that this entire great country mourns with you and that you are not alone. I wish there were words that could be said to help you through this difficult tragedy. Trust in God. He has a plan. Our prayers are with you. Chris, rest in peace, and thank you for your many, many years of service and dedication.

Michigan

December 30, 2004

Patrolman Ruse today i was watching the news and heard the words "Officer Killed" Rest in Peace Patrolman " Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God"

Explorer Evan Hodge
Marietta Police Explorers Post 2

December 30, 2004

On behalf of our department to Officer Ruse's family and police family our deepest heartfelt sorrow goes out to each of you. Our prayers and thoughts will stay with all of you.

Grand Prairie Police,Texas

December 30, 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 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"

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

A Brother in Blue

December 30, 2004

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

December 30, 2004

No one who has ever worn the badge shall be forgotten, not as long as there is another to pin on a badge and carry on.

December 30, 2004

God has called another hero home. The Country mourns, for when one goes down we all lose a little more of ourselves.
You and your family are in my prayers my Brother.

Charlie Blain Retired

December 30, 2004

My heart and prayers go out to the family, friends and department of Patrolman Ruse during this difficult time.

A Police Dispatcher in Michigan

December 30, 2004

My prayers and condolences go out to Chris's family and co-workers. What a sensless, awful loss.
Rest easy, brother.

Deputy Stephen Bradley
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

December 30, 2004

To all who knew and loved Patrolman Ruse, our hearts are with you. So incredibly heartbreaking----

The Family of Dave Grant EOW 5/31/04
Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept.

December 30, 2004

It angers me that a great Officer was gunned down for no reason! Officer Ruse you died a hero and that's how you will always be remembered! May God be with you and your family!!

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

December 30, 2004

Chris, it seems like only yesterday I rode with you when you were my F.T.O. for a few days and then Lt. Blocker at Winder. You were also my F.T.O. at Arcade, we had many talks. I remember the funny faxes you would send to radio and to the jail and post at the P.D. or how you would say "One hundred and eight degrees to radio, 10-8 10-41" You were the first cop I had ever rode with in Georgia. You taught me how to police in Georgia after I came down from Ohio being a Police Officer.
When I was having problems at home about a year ago you were there for me to talk to, you wrote the letter to me telling me you know the stresses and heart aches that go along with the job and that you would pray for us. Thank You!!
I got the call a little after 2000 and thought it was a scratch because you have been through hell and back and had always survived, you were jumped in Glenwood and beat with a board and left for dead but survived.
While we were en route to the hospital I had received a call that you had passed away, I was in disbelief and pulled over and allowed my wife to drive because I thought it was a mistake and couldn't see to drive.
I want you to know that we will take care of Janeane and the kids. We have your watch from here, go rest now Chris!!
Here's your favorite saying "May the fleas' of a thousand camels infest the arm pits of your enemies!"

Patrolman Jeff Whitmire
Arcade Police Department

December 30, 2004

Rest in peace my brother in Blue!

December 30, 2004

To the Family, Fellow Officers, and friends of Officer Chris Ruse, I offer my sincere condolences for your loss.

To Chris; rest easy brother, we have the watch now.

R. Partain, Senior Patrol Agent
U.S. Border Patrol

December 30, 2004