Peoria Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Thursday, December 30, 2004
Reflections for Police Officer Cristy Sue Tindall
Rest in peace Sister Cristie, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your courage and service.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73
Assistant Chief Carl Wortham Retired
Sand Springs Okla Police Department
January 2, 2005
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
January 2, 2005
God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will not be forgotten.
St. Louis City Police
January 2, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Peoria P.D.
Fallen but never forgotten.
Bryan Laurie son of fallen officer
Nathan Laurie EOW &-29-04
January 2, 2005
On behalf of the men and women who serve for the City Of Lake Saint Louis Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Cristy tindall's family, friends, and co-workers.
Officer
Lake Saint Louis
January 2, 2005
May God be with your family, friends and fellow officers. Your work will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace.
LEO Wife
January 2, 2005
Prayers to your family, coworkers and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with you in our ER and you will truly be missed.
LaDean
SFMC ER
January 2, 2005
Rest in Peace Christie. I hold many fond memories of you both on duty and off duty. You will be missed dearly, but not forgotten.
Officer Mike Ott
Peoria Police Dept
January 2, 2005
To the coworkers, friends and family of Cristie Sue Tindall, I am so sorry for your loss.
Mary Wilkinson, sister of fallen officer
January 1, 2005
The Magi traveled through the dark, but kept their eyes on the starlight and they found the Christ child. Each of us is given a share of darkness. We lose our health, our jobs, reputations, homes. Our loved ones die, too often before we can possibly be ready to let them go. There is injustice and poverty and we don't know how to make a difference. We lose our trust in our leaders, our confidence that our lives have meaning. We lose our faith. The glory of the stars is only evident at night. The darker the night, the brighter the stars shine. Just so, the light of Christ is evident in the midst of trial. The deeper our suffering, the brighter is the light of Christ. This is the mystery, the true lesson offered us by our God - that from death, there is new life; that the deeper the shadow the brighter the sun. The glory of the stars is brightest on the darkest night. Be brave. Follow that star.
Taken from Liguori
Citizen
January 1, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with Cristie's family, friends, and brothers and sisters at the Peoria PD during this difficult time.
Police Officer
Joliet PD
January 1, 2005
Rest in Peace...
Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY
January 1, 2005
I met Christy many years ago when I only had a few years in dispatch and she was working in the information ofc as a cadet. I remember being impressed because she was so focused on being a police officer, it was her dream, her life's ambition. She was very serious about her job and very dedicated but she was also very fun-loving, we all spent many a wild night after work de-stressing at Schooners. 4F11 will never sound quite the same on the radio, we will all miss you.
Kim Shore
Peoria Police Dept.
January 1, 2005
Thank you for your years of service, you are a true hero; may your soul rest in peace.
Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland
January 1, 2005
Rest in peace fellow officer. Your work here is done. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Officer K.A. Lokey
Norfolk Police Department, Virginia
January 1, 2005
To the family and friends of PO Cristie Tindall and also to the Peoria PD, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Sgt Lehr & Family
Newark CA
January 1, 2005
Rest in peace Officer Tindall. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God bless you and your family.
Linda - LEO wife and
sister of S/A Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04
January 1, 2005
Cristy, you will be missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, to Amanda, and to all of our fellow brothers and sisters who are missing you, and wishing you were still with us.
I thank you for all of the advise, both about the job and about life. You were a true friend, and you will be forever in my thoughts. Rest easy girl, and I will always be your BDA!
Officer Paul Deeb #966
Peoria Police Department
January 1, 2005
Cristy was my friend. My heart goes out to her partner and her family in their time of need. She will be missed greatly. God bless her loved ones.
Anne Arnold
A friend
January 1, 2005
Thank you for your service Officer Cristy Tindall. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, your friends, and your department. True HEROES like you are never forgotten. Rest in Peace.
FCO M.T. Hendrix
Raleigh PD
January 1, 2005
Cristy how you will be missed, but the good memories I have with you will hold on with me forever. Thank you for that. God give strength to your mom, tink, and Amanda for we all know how much they meant to you. I will be praying for them. You rest now Cristy and let us carry on for you. I will see you again someday in heaven.
Trish Taylor
Peoria Police Dept.
January 1, 2005
MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF OFFICER CRISTY TINDALL'S FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS. MAY GOD HELP YOU THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY.
JAILER ELAINE HUNTER
CHAMBERS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ANAHUAC,TEXAS
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
Our thoughts and prayers are of Cristy , her family and friends as we mourn her sacrifice . God bless.
Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.
January 1, 2005
God bless the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Tindall. My heart and prayers are with you all in this terrible time of loss. Thank you Officer Tindall for a job well done.
Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
08/06/02
January 1, 2005
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