Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

March 18, 2005

Thank you for what you did and for what all of your brothers and sisters in arms do to make this world a safer place everyday. May God bless your family and friends. All gave some, but some gave all.

Shayla Patton

March 18, 2005

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO, YOU DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM DANGER, BUT CONFRONTED EVIL IN THE EYE AND DID YOUR JOB. THE THIN BLUE LINE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. REST IN PEACE, WE NOW HAVE YOUR BEAT.

OFC. CHARLES ROBSON
ORMOND BEACH POLICE DEPT.

March 18, 2005

Officer Catchings my heart goes out to you,your family and your police family. I know what they are going through I also know how proud they are of you as we all are. I will pray for all of you. Watch over us from above where all the heros go.

Grand Prairie PD,Tx

March 18, 2005

You are a true hero. My thoughts are with your department and family. rest in peace.

Fire Captain
Utah

March 18, 2005

“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

March 18, 2005

FOR EVERY FALLEN OFFICER AN ANGEL IS BORN.CATCHINGS,YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

school safety officer/ J.Cisneros
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL POLICE

March 18, 2005

God bless you Officer Catchings, even though you were not on duty you still cared enough to do your job. The EVIL coward did recieve justice he deserved. the city of Jackson and a greatful nation will be forever in your debt.

Cpl Gary E Mintz, Traffic Enf Director
Henderson County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

March 18, 2005

To the Catchings family, I am so sorry to hear about Officer Catchings. He was a true HERO, dying for and defending the citizens of Jackson, Mississippi. May GOD bless you and your family.

Sheriff's Investigator
Harris County Sheriff, Houston, TX.

March 18, 2005

Deepest sympathies

Sgt. Smith
Detroit PD

March 18, 2005

My Condolences and heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Family and The Officers and Staff of the Jackson Police Dept.

Thank you Officer Catchings for your service to the community and for a job well done.

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

March 18, 2005

Dedicated warrior! Strength to your department members, your friends and especially your family.

Patrolman
New Castle County Police - New Castle, Delaware

March 18, 2005

A Brother Warrior has fell and died today in battle.

This Brother Warrior has made the ultimate sacrifice.

He has given his life for his Fellow Warriors, his family and friends too.

Brother Warrior, pass your sword to us, so we can keep your spirit alive.

You, my Brother Warrior will not be forgotten.

God Bless you, your family and your friends.

We honor and respect all of the Fallen Warriors who have gone before us.

We ask you, Brother Warriors to guide us, protect us and pray for us.

We will meet again my Brother Warriors.

For this time not to fight another battle, but to live in eternal peace.

God bless all of the Warriors, past, present and future.

Sgt. Chad McDaniel
Seminole County Sheriff's Office (FL)

March 18, 2005

Officer Catchings was doing his Duty to Protect and Serve right to the very end. I think the Jackson police Dept lost a very good man. I would off been proud to know him. R.I.P Kenny Hetrick

Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa County Sherriff Dept

March 18, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Catchings' family and friends. Please watch over us brother, for you are in a better place. God Bless

Officer Jack Manuel
Pocono Twp Police, Pa

March 18, 2005

To the Family of Ptl. Catchings;
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband, daddy, son and friend. I know that no words will lessen this pain or answer the questions you have, but please know that you are in the prayers of many who have walked this road too. I pray that God will give you strength and comfort your heart in this difficult time ahead.

Sincerely,
Valarie B. Wright
Surviving Daughter
Ptl. William B. Bell

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell, EOW 11-19-02

March 18, 2005

Brother Thomas,
Thank you for your service. Your actions and dedication are a real tribute to who you are. While you may ne be here, you will NEVER be forgotten by your brothers and sisters. We will continue to pray for your family, friends and partners.

God Speed Friend........

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office (MI)

March 18, 2005

Patrolman Catchings you are a hero in every sense! May God bless you and your family in this time of need!

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

March 18, 2005

god bless you and your family and friends and co workers in this time of need. wife of DET WILLIAM ROLNIAK (eow 2-4-04.)

March 18, 2005

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God". Matthew 5:9. Thank you Patrolman Catchings for your service and your courage. Rest easy brother, your heroism
shall not be forgotten. May God bless you and your family.

Officer Steven Gau
Miamisburg, OH. Police Dept.

March 18, 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

March 18, 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 18, 2005

Officer Catchings you are a true hero!! Your actions show total dedication to duty and won't be forgotten. Rest in peace brother.

B. Talesnick CID Analyst
St. Petersburg Police Florida

March 18, 2005

Your courageous and brave service is an inspiration to all of us. I know your family and fellow officers are extremely proud of the job you did. My condolences to your family and department. The community you served has lost a hero.

Sgt. Tracy A. Easterday
Lawrence Police Department - Indiana

March 18, 2005

Your bravery will be remembered. Rest in peace.

Offc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

March 18, 2005