Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is with a heavy heart that I extend my condolences to the friends and family of MPO Lavery. I will truly miss my friend Peter. I lost a very good friend on 12/30/04, but this world lost a great person. I am a better person for having known him and honored to call him my friend. Peter was a collector of lost souls who saw the good in everyone.

My Dear Friend Peter,
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hands.

Officer Katie Kelliher
Newington Police

January 3, 2005

Peter you are a hero. You went there to do what was right. May you rest in peace and watch over your brothers and sisters at the PD. Al

Master Police Officer Al Higuera
Newington (Ct.) Police Dept

January 3, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go to the family, friends and co-workers of MPO Lavery. May you rest in piece and continue to protect from above.


The Final Inspection
MPO Lavery stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, MPO Lavery .
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
MPO Lavery squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
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 times 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 silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As MPO Lavery waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, MPO Lavery,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

John Perrine, Trooper
Indiana State Police

January 2, 2005

"for he then stepped across the threshold of death and into the loving arms of God and is now on heavenly patrol" Rest in Peace brother.

Sergeant James Preston
Tampa Police (Retired)

January 2, 2005

May the wind be in your face as you take the ride to the gates, I'm grateful we got to ride together. God bless your family and fellow co-workers.

Sergeant Roy A. Nelson
Cromwell Police Department

January 2, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of MPO Lavery. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

January 2, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

OFFICER BIRKENSTOCK
MONTICELLO P.D. NY

January 2, 2005

Everyone in Law Enforcement will remember you. Rest in peace.

Community Service Officers
Chanhassen Public Safety

January 2, 2005

The Town Of Newington,CT will never be the same. Where do we begin to thank you for keeping our town safe? God must have needed an Officer in heaven this day and he called you home. I am sure you will continue to protect. God bless you and your family.

Resident-Newington,CT

January 2, 2005

My heart goes our to the community who lost one of its heros, the brothers in blue of Laverys department who were there and felt the helplessness of being able to do nothing to change the outcome, those in blue nationwide who pushed back the lump in their throats and carried on to protect and serve the public, but most of all for the family who lost a brother, son, father and husband. May he truely rest in peace.

Michael Manson
Hartford Police Department (CT)

January 2, 2005

Growing up the daughter of a CT State Trooper who served with integrity and devotion (he died in 1981 shortly after retiring), my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and to the fellow officers nationwide. I did not know him personally, but through what I have read about this officer... He served with Excellence. My heart goes out to all who loved him, and served with him. May He rest in peace. My humble thanks to officers who serve .. and put themselves in the line of fire... each day, never knowing if they will see the day after.

Karen E. Kaliss

January 2, 2005

To all Family, Friends, and Co Workers of this Officer:

On Behalf of myself, and the Family of Police Officer Daniel Starks (Ft Myers Fl, E/O/W 10-25-03) we want you to know that you are all in our prayers! The Lord will sustain you as you go through this difficult, and trying time, but just remember your loved one is being cared for in Heaven, and is now eternally safe. We hope that you all remain as strong as possible, and know that we are all thinking of you. No words are quite ever adequate, but Police Officers make the ultimate sacrifice everyday, and our hope, and prayer is that they will always be remembered for their heroic efforts, and kind hearts.
Blessings Always,
Jessica Ruhl (Daniel’s Fiancée) & the Family of Officer Daniel Starks

January 2, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

January 2, 2005

To the family, the co-workers and all of the officers who responded to the scene of this tragic incident. From the Daytona Beach Police Family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

I just happened to be in Connecticut during this situation and I prayed for a safe result throughout the 10+ hr standoff.
We all mourn around the country, and I will be in Washington DC, the week of May 15th, to honor you and all of our other fallen brothers and sisters, as I am every year since 1998.
RIP, Brother!

Officer Frank Geremia
Daytona Beach Police, Fl

January 2, 2005

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE BROTHER

POLICE OFFICER
PORT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPT(NY&NJ)

January 2, 2005

I was deeply saddened to see how the events unfolded after reading about the initial situation. My families thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and your fellow officers in Newington,Ct. In every sense of the word you are a true hero!

Detective S. O'Hare
Atlanta Police Department

January 2, 2005

May God bless you, your family and the Newington Police Department.

Rest In Peace Brother

Officer David Gugliotti
Stratford Police

January 2, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Peter, 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

I had the great pleasure of meeting Master Peter Lavery one hot dog when he came to the store to assit me with an issue. I would like to say that I'm deeply sorry that a wonderful person has been taken away. God bless the family, and friends. My prays are with you.

Daphne
Local Supermarket

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

You laid down your life protecting the citizens of Newington. Your watch is over.....Rest in peace.

Your brothers in Southern Maine.

Cpl. Steve Borst
Wells, Maine PD

January 2, 2005

You are a true hero to us all. You will never be forgotten for your bravery and dedication to you country and citizens. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

January 2, 2005

May God bless your family, town and department. They are in our prayers.

Memphis Police Dept

January 2, 2005

Very Sad, my thoughts and prayers go to the family of MPO Peter Lavery, he paid the ultimate sacrifice and is a hero in the eyes of all.

S/A Brian Martineau
Naval Criminal Investigative Service

January 2, 2005

God bless you and your family. May those you've left behind find strength in the honorable and courageous way that you lived your life. Your sacrifices will not be forgotten; nor will your bravery.

Det. Eric Kovanda
Bloomfield Police Department, Bloomfield, CT

January 2, 2005