Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Kurt (ODIE)

The Office and entire Community is not the same without your smiling face. I'm sure you are able to look down and see just how you have impacted so many people. In times such as this, the scripture says to rely on your faith and the word of God to try and cope. Though we laid your body to rest, your spirit will live on forever in each and every one of us. Give us strength and encouragement to be better people. To always try and be positive in such a negative world. To always lend a hand, a smile or word of encouragement as you have.
As we spent the first 7-8 years together thinking we would never get off the night shift, you always kept me hopeful that it would happen someday. It wasn't hard to watch you grow into the man you are as you left to go to Hesston. At least you were here to see and talk to. It was hard when you brought Smokey out to stay with us. I remember watching you drive out my long driveway to head for Colorado. I really thought I would not see you again. All the times you made it home and we never could seem to stop at the same place at the same time to just sit, hug and chat. I am glad that you, Jill and the boys came back to make a home. As I sit here and reflect on things, I find it very difficult to find answers when everything seemed to be falling into place for you and your family. I can't tell you how much your wife and boys mean to me Kurt. I want you to know that everybody here will do whatever we can to help Jill and the boys deal with the loss of a great husband and father. Kurt you described your co-workers, and friends from Douglas County very well. I was able to meet several of them and in only a few minutes it was like one big family reunion. I am really thankful to have met such a fine group of people. Kurt, We Love You and MISS YOU!!!!

Jimmy

Sr. Investigator/ Jim Sauerwein
Harvey County Sheriff's Office

April 19, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

April 18, 2005

Deputy Ford,
If we don't go though the door who will
We lost one of the best S.E.R.T. from our office in Georgia on Feb.24,2005.
Deputy Ford GOD SDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deputy Fredenburg,#260
SERT member Douglas County, Georgia

Deputy/ SERT Member
Douglas County Sheriff Officer, Georgia

April 18, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Ford's family and friends. I know there is nothing anyone can say or do but stay strong and remember the good times. Deputy Ford is with my brother and dad now and they are looking down on all of us. To all the other offiers out there please be safe and thank you for all you do.
Sheila Samuels Smith
Sister of Sheriff Matt Samuels
E.O.W. 1-19-05

Sheila Samuels Smith

April 18, 2005

Heaven must have been short on Angels, so God summoned one who He knew was heroic and brave.

SWAT Officer J. Clark
West Hartford P.D. (Connecticut)

April 18, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Ford. He is a hero whose memory and legacy will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace and joy in God's kingdom.
Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of S/A Jay Balchunas
EOW 11/5/04

April 18, 2005

Deputy Ford,

you were a great man who will be missed dearly. You were always an awesome person to talk to. I will never forget what you taught me. I will miss you very much!!!

Robyn

Robyn Smith Exp
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 17, 2005

To the family, friends and co-workers my prayers are with you. There is not much anyone can say that will help. The one thing that I thought about during our nighmare was that Clint loved being a Police Officer, and would not have traded places with anyone. I bet Kurt loved his work also.
Deputy Sheriff Ford your family will miss you everyday but we will never forget you. Look Clint up for me tell him I love and miss him.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

April 17, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DEPUTY FORD, HIS FAMILY
CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

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

April 16, 2005

How sad that this list continues to grow at such a fast rate. I lost my cousin to a gunfire accident June 2004, that's when I discovered this wonderful site.

I would like to give my sincerest condolences to this fine officer's wife and son's. These men in blue are true heroes and every officer on this site and every reflection I've read has left me with tears in my eyes. Tears for the families left behind, the "brothers" in blue, and the family of law enforcment.

It scares me that there such little regard for human life. I can only pray that The Lord will watch over these men and women and protect them from harm, for they protect me and my family everyday.

D. Arruda, Cousin of a fallen officer

April 16, 2005

The warrior stood and faced God,
Which will always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass

"Step forward now,old warrior,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The warrior squared his shoulders and
said, "No lord,I guess I ain't,
Cause those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

"I've had to work Sundays,
and at times my talk was tough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Cause the world is awfully rough.

"But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got to 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 fears.

"If you've a place for me here, lord,
It needn't be so grand. In life
I didn't expect or need much,
So if you don't I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints have often trod,
As the warrior stood quietly.
For the judgment of his god.

"Step forward now, my warrior,
You've born your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

patrolman scott kotrba
gurnee Il pd

April 16, 2005

Deputy Ford,

You will never be forgotten, I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t been said, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the training you gave not only myself but the department. I will always remember the classes that you taught to our Explorer Post. You don’t know how many lives you have changed. You were always there when we needed you. It’s a shame to loose not only such a great cop but a great person. My Heart and Prayers go out to your family and I know I will see you again someday.

Explorer Lt. Josh Colyer
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 16, 2005

Kurt, you were an awesome cop and an even better person. You were always willing to help us whenever we needed you. We will always miss you.

Explorer Sgt. Joshua Martin
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 16, 2005

Not too long ago you saved the day. The day was mine to be saved. We were working a fatality accident on US 50 were a young man wrecked and did not make it. In dealing with those feeling my day got worse because I lost my keys. I went back to the accident site and looked for over an hour with no luck. Just when I gave up on the keys I get a page from a number I did not know. Calling it back I hear your voice offering to sell my keys back to me. I could hear your smile over the phone. You saved my day as you have so many other people through out your career.
Working that morning I heard the EMS call and my heart dropped, as all did who heard what I heard. I rushed to Newton to help in any way I could, never imagining it to be you. I went to the ER first, only to realize my friend was gone. I will never understand why you were needed, I just trust you were. God has his plan, and you are a part of it. You know what I am doing for you and I know you are ok with it. Jill, my heart goes out to you and your boys. Forever will be Kurt Ford protecting us from harm aside St. Michael the Archangel. Rest in peace my friend. Fallen but not forgotten

Officer Stephen R. Symonds
Halstead Police Department, Harvey County

April 15, 2005

I can only echo what has already been said by others who knew Kurt. He truly was one of the finest law enforcement officers and human beings I have ever known. He loved his job, and I can't remember him ever saying a cross word to or about anyone. I always made it a point to stop in and talk to him, because I knew that, without fail, it would brighten my day. Kurt had a tremendous amount of knowledge, and he shared it unstintingly. I first pinned on a badge in 1971. I have yet to meet a fellow officer of any rank who has earned more of my respect. As much, yes. But not more.

I am truly honored to have known you, Kurt.

Sgt. Dave Suter
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

April 15, 2005

I feel blessed to have known you. You have touched so many lives in the short time you spent here on earth. I feel like a better person because of you. You were kind to everyone, brightened every room you entered, and a smile I will never forget. Rest in Peace my good friend.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 15, 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 Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

April 15, 2005

Kurt was an upstanding Police Officer, Husband, Father, and Friend. I cannot say enough about what a GREAT human being he was. He was very well respected by many of us. I really looked up to him. He was a good person all around and all that knew him will miss him dearly.
God be with his family in a most difficult journey that lies ahead of them. My prayers are with them all. God be with all of you and protect all of those still serving.
“For God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you’”.
“He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise. Never again should you wonder what you have to be thankful for.”
Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production.
“When the tent we live in – our body here on earth – is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself had made, which will last forever.”

Deputy Kim Pepping
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

April 15, 2005

A coward dies a thousand deaths; a hero only one. Sadly, a hero died when Kurt Ford fullfilled his duty, bound by his honor, bravery, fidelity, and loyalty. His legacy remains with his memories within us all, his children and his wife and love, Jill.

Investigator Dave E Weaver
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

April 15, 2005

Rest in prace brother and thanks for your service

Police Officer E.J. Kavanagh
Virginia Beach Police Department

April 15, 2005

A friend of mine lost a fellow M8 and a good man.I just want to say that our prayers are with you and him as well...

BL *RS*
DF2

April 15, 2005

From one SWAT cop to another........
" ON YOU "

Deputy L. Warnken
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

April 15, 2005

Days have already passed since you were sudden taken away from your earthly home.It didn't seem possible. Even after attending your funeral, I still can't beleive you are gone. But I realize that you aren't really gone. Your infectious smile, incredible attitude and outlook on life and the awesome memories of time spent with you, will remain with all of us forever. I know you are watching over your family and your brothers and sisters who will carry on in your absence. All of us, whether family, friends, neighbors commrades or students of yours will be forever "better" because of your influence in your lives.I am blessed for having gotten to work with you and for getting to call you my friend. I will forever miss you, but will think of you often. You are truely a hero in so many ways!

Division Chief Marilyn Bourn
South Metro Fire Rescue

April 15, 2005

Today, the clouds hung low, a bagpipe wept, 21 guns barked, a bugle howled, We mourned, we laid you to rest.

Tomorrow your grin will lift the clouds, the sun will shine again, we will go on, in spite of our loss.

Kurt, in your absence, I assure you when the pagers go off again, our team will continue to operate.

Sleep well Bro... I'll see you later.

"In Casu Extremae Necessitatis"

anonymous

April 15, 2005

Rest in peace brother

Police Officer
Wichita Police Department, KS

April 15, 2005