Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"NO GREATER LOVE HATH ANY MAN THAN THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THAT OF HIS BROTHER" MAY GOD PUT HIS COMFORTING HAND ON YOUR FAMILY AND THOSE WHO WERE CLOSE TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE AND FOR BEING WHAT MANY ARE AFFRAID TO BE. A TRUE KEEPER OF THE PEACE!!!!!!!

March 20, 2005

The lord was looking for a special rose to finish his rose garden. He desided it would be officer catchings. May god bless bless each and everyone of you.

March 20, 2005

I just want to say how truly sorry I am for your loss. I am saying this to the wife, children, parents, extended family & coworkers. Especially for the children, I lost my father to homicide at an early age & the road ahead will be filled with ups & downs. I want you children to keep your head up & know that your father was doing what he loved to protect you & the rest of the community. Nothing will take the pain away but time. Just know that God has a plan for everyone & your father would want you to push on to be the outstanding adults he was setting out to raise. It is easy to let hate engulf you for the person who did this but try not to because that will only bring you down more. Again, I will be praying for you. God bless you all.

Tabitha
Resident of Jackson

March 20, 2005

Officer Catchings' family: I pray that God be with you through this tough time.

Teneshia Butler, Student

March 20, 2005

I just want to express my deepest sadness to your family I feel their hurt,I know you died doing what you loved and you have our respect for that ,say hello to Wayne Koester for me. EOW-- Feb9th2005--

Brandy Koester
Florida ,Lake county

March 20, 2005

We at the West Precinct are deeply saddened by the loss of a fellow brother in blue. We will pray for Patrolman Catchings and his family.May they know he is now finishing his watch in Heaven.

Patrolman
Memphis Police Department

March 20, 2005

I grieve,not only for this family,but for his fellow officers too.I have been in your shoes myself.My nephew,Larry Russell,was one of the first two officers to be killed on 1/1/04 in Athens,Ala..They gave their all,to protect us.God has a plan far greater for them.May The Peace of Rhe Lord be with you all.God Bless

Kathy Hill
Richland,Ms.

March 20, 2005

It is unbelievable how much courage and bravery it takes to do what you did. We thank you for your services and Rest in Peace knowing you will never be forgotten.

P.C Viktor Sarudi 8568
Toronto Police Service

March 20, 2005

Thank you and God bless you, Patrolman Catchings, for your noble service in defense of others. You fulfilled your promise to protect the citizens of your community by killing the dangerous coward that ambushed you. You fought on despite being mortally wounded. You could have given up, but you fought the fight. You, sir, are a warrior's warrior. I salute you. Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Sheriff Karl C. Gwynne
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FL

March 20, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER
we got it from here

Detective Jim Mahaffa
Elkhart Co.Indiana Sheriffs Dept.

March 20, 2005

Although you have left your fellow officers behind we shall continue to keep you near us still we meet again at the cross roads; for you have made the supreme sacrifice. May G O D continue to bless your family and friends.

Det T T Robertson
Shelby County Sheriff Office

March 20, 2005

I HAVE A HERO....

I have a Hero,
This person is one who gets dressed for work each day just like everyone else
I have a Hero,
Who kisses their spouse and children before they leave for work not knowing if they will return at the end of the day to hold them once again
I have a Hero,
Who must confort the scared, console the troubled, and protect even the gulity
I have a Hero,
Who arrives to a situation where a child has been killed and must remember that the suspect has "rights"
I have a Hero,
That puts on a uniform each day with a vow to Serve and Protect
I have a Hero,
Who was killed in the Line of Duty today, and with him a part of America died
I have a Hero,
Who goes by the name of Police Officer....

May God Bless all of Our Fallen Brothers and Sisters in Blue. While we honor the lives of those no longer with us.
-Your Brothers
Put-in-Bay Police
Ohio

Officer
Put-in-Bay Police

March 20, 2005

You are a true warrior , May god bless you and your family and friends. Rest In Peace.

Retired louisville Metro Police

Officer Booker T. Polin Jr.

Retired Officer Booker T. Polin Jr.
Louisville Metro Police

March 20, 2005

I pray that God will comfort and bless Patrolman Catchings' wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. You are forever in His care. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

March 20, 2005

Heaven has another HERO!! Thank you for serving and protecting us. May GOD bless your family and friends.Rest in peace, Sir.

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

March 20, 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 Thomas did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Thomas be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Patrolman Catchings' 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 Thomas 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 Thomas was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Patrolman Catchings 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 20, 2005

YOU ARE A TRUE HERO IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SENSE OF DUTY TO HELP OTHERS. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

ANONYMOUS
Plantation police dept, Plantation, FL

March 20, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Patrolman Thomas Catchings and the Jackson Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Thomas... 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 & Pooky- Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

March 20, 2005

Yolanda & Family:
My deepest sympathy is extended to you. Meditate on this: "...for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." Jer. 31:13b.

Ruby Lewis, Evidence Technician
JPD - CRIME LAB

March 19, 2005

Your assignment is at the Big PD in sky, one of Gods Angels on his force watching over us left behind. Rest will my brother, we'll see you again standing tall at the gates of Haven when we are one day called home. THANK YOU for your service, and making the difference in all the lives you touched

Detective Lionel Garrett
Inglewood Police Department

March 19, 2005

You fought a good fight brother. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Lt. Patrick Minor (ret)
Retired

March 19, 2005

Officer Catchings, Thank you for your service! Your name or legacy will never be forgotten. To the family of this fallen Hero, even though we are strangers, we are still united by those we love that have fallen from the Thin Blue Line. RIP Sir!

Melissa Smock
Indianapolis, IN Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/2004

March 19, 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 19, 2005

Officer Catchings, a true warrior. My prayers are with you, your family, your community, and the Jackson Police Department. RIP

CPL William White
Lafayette Police Department

March 19, 2005

A deep debt of graditude to you for your service....

My deepest thoughts go to your family, friends, and co-workers during this difficult time.

Your willingness to go the extra step in confronting this violent suspect when you were off-duty bespeaks a dedication that those who do not wear a police badge do not understand. Few of us wear our vests to our training days, including me. Rest assured that I will for every training day from this point on for the rest of my career. I will do this in dedication to officers like yourself who have fallen.

Until we meet, Salute.

P.O.-Michigan

March 19, 2005