Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your community and family misses you.

Scott Parker Police Officer # 586
Itasca Police Department, Texas

March 15, 2005

I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Van Fossan's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Eagle Pass Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Officer Van Fossan, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

March 11, 2005

Officer Van Fossan,
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. P. Sperandeo, Off. A. Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept, LA

March 10, 2005

Our prayers and condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Eric Van Fossan. We Mourn your tragic loss. Rest in Peace brother.

Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey

March 10, 2005

Our thoughts and prayer are with your family. Rest in peace Brother, will carry the load. Thanks for protecting my home town Eagle Pass, Texas.
God bless you and your family.

Sergio G Yebra Immigration Enforcement A
Immigration and Customs

March 9, 2005

On behalf of the entire membership of the FBI Agents Association, I send my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Van Fossan.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit Division

March 9, 2005

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

March 7, 2005

Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten by your entire police family. God bless your family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

March 6, 2005

My condolences to the Family and the Eagle Pass Police Dept. Thank you Officer Fossan for your service to your community and for a job well done.

Cpl Barry W Cannon
Center Hill Police Dept. Center Hill, Fla

March 6, 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."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

March 6, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Eric did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Eric be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Fossan's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Eric is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Eric was well respected and well loved. Eric sounds like an amazing man. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Officer Fossan for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

March 6, 2005

TO THE FAMILY: THERE ARE NO WORDS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PAIN. THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS OFFICER VAN FOSSAN SPENT PROTECTING THIS CITY. MAY GOD HELP YOU AND HIS LOVED ONE GO ON REMEMBERING HIM.

ANONYMOUS

March 5, 2005

Upon the markers of their graves
Our heroes etched in names we save
For all the life they gave with pride
To keep the peace within life's stride

To honor serve and do their best
To keep us safe through any quest
They gave up what was theirs to share
Their spirits shall be always near

No fear within the hearts and minds
To keep us safe within our times
The glory that is ours to see
Those special hearts of bravery

They have walked where no man dare
Their lives in danger with no care
For they have given all they could
For their courage we have stood

In awe of every one who gave
His life for others who they saved
So we will know their contribution
Their firm resolve and resolution

For those they left with hearts so broken
In every whispered word that's spoken
We bow our heads in confirmation
In every word life's revelation

Those who stand within their shoes
Will follow courage as they choose
And give to all the best they had
They carry on with spirits glad

We will know that they walked through
With colors bright and hearts so true
No Island stands alone they say
For heroes they are born this way

Protecting those with loyalty
A glimpse of so much royalty
Within the years of courage bound
These officers have earned their crown

Upon the earth we shall remember
The special goals and all their thunder
That proves a hero came our way
Who left their hearts on earth to stay.

~ Francine Pucillo ~
(c)Copyright November 16, 2004
In Memory of all those lost in the line
of fire with courage, strength and love.

ASST.CHIEF BILL (PUTT) LINDER E.O.W 10/10/04

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT. WISNER,LOUISIANA

March 4, 2005

Rest in Peace Officer Van Fossan. My condolences to the family, friends and co-workers. May God give you strength during this difficult time.

Brenda Bell/Mother of an Officer

March 4, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER VAN FOSSAN,HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

March 4, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
concerned citizen

March 4, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother. We are grateful for your service and dedication to duty. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshals (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

March 3, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends now. Thank you for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

March 3, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

March 3, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Van Fossan as well as the Eagle Pass PD. Thank you for your service to Eagle Pass and the state of Texas. Rest in peace brother.

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

March 3, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Eric Jay Van Fossan and the Eagle Pass Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Eric... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky
beyond-the-blue

March 3, 2005

Rest. Your shift is over. We will carry on.

Sgt. B. Burton
Fort Wayne Ind PD

March 2, 2005

Another warrior has been brought home from battle on his shield. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten by the Family Blue. May God watch over your family.

Robert Gordon, father of Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, IL

March 2, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Van Fossan. 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

March 2, 2005

Gone but certainly never forgotten.
God bless you, Officer Fossan.

Jennifer Waters
Wife of Mike Waters, West Memphis PD, EOW 9-11-03

March 2, 2005