Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

All of your loved ones are in my thoughts today and they get through this anniversary of you being called away four years ago. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and close friends, protect them from harm. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 9, 2009

To Deputy Sheriff Kurn Andrew Ford, his family and his fellow officers with the Harvey County Sheriff's Office:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Deputy Ford’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Deputy Ford and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members and Staff

April 9, 2009

En Casu Extremae Necessitatis


CMXVIII

Anonymous

April 8, 2009

Kurt:

It has been a while since i have visited the site. You were a friend to many officers and civilians, but you are a hero to all. Not to many days go by that i don't think of that day. My you rest in peace and know you haven't been forgotten.

Jeff Soyez
Marion Police Department

Jeff Soyez
Marion Police Department

December 16, 2008

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service. God bless you and your family

Explorer
Parker Police Department/Son of Aurora Police officer

December 4, 2008

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday that Gregory Alan Moore will spend the rest of his life in prison, which satisfies Harvey County Sheriff A.J. Wuthnow.

Moore was convicted of the April 9, 2005, killing of the sheriff's friend, Deputy Kurt Ford, and the wounding of Hesston police Detective Chris Eilert. The two had entered Moore's house after a domestic disturbance call.

After a Sedgwick County District Court jury couldn't reach a unanimous agreement in July 2006 on imposing the death penalty, Judge David Kennedy imposed life without parole, plus an additional 91 years and two months on related charges. The trial was moved to Wichita because Harvey County's judges knew Ford.

"It was disappointing to everybody that he didn't get the death penalty, but we are elated the court upheld his sentence and he can finish his sentence in prison," Wuthnow said Friday.

Wuthnow, who has been sheriff for 18 months, was a deputy at the time of Ford's death but wasn't involved in the call. He said he and Ford were close friends.

"He was a great guy, an awesome law enforcement officer and a great family man," Wuthnow said. "He was a friend to all who met him, and he will be greatly missed."

In an unanimous opinion by Justice Carol Beier, the state's court of last resort rejected various defense claims. They included an argument that the trial judge should have allowed the jury to consider convicting Moore of voluntary manslaughter.

Moore argued that not allowing the jury to do so prevented it from accepting his defense that he had an honest -- but unreasonable -- belief of being killed by police if they entered his house or he tried to leave.

"We are not persuaded by Moore's argument," Beier wrote. "The jury would have had to conclude the circumstances could warrant an honest belief that uniformed officers who entered Moore's home were aggressors threatening imminent use of 'unlawful' force."

She added: "Moore's jury could not reasonably do so on the record before us."

During the trial, defense attorneys said Moore was high on methamphetamine at the time of the killing. But the court said there was testimony that Moore "clearly understood what was going on and communicated coherently" with officers.

Moore, 49, was prosecuted by the attorney general's office and was the first person in the state sentenced under a 2004 law that allows life in prison with no hope for parole. He's in the maximum security unit at El Dorado Correctional Facility.

Ford was a member of the emergency response team entering Moore's house, where Alveda Sparks also was living with her 14-year-old daughter. The daughter got out of the house and called police shortly after midnight, warning that Moore had a gun. Later, he told officers he didn't have a gun.

The response team entered the house after hearing Sparks being beaten. On her way out of the house, she ran into the officers coming in -- knocking aside the lead officer, who carried a bullet-resistant shield. That left Ford in front, in the line of fire.

The officers pulled back after the shooting and re-established telephone contact with Moore. They stayed in touch with him until he surrendered.

Anonymous

October 25, 2008

RIP you and all the fallen officers were taken too soon from your loved ones.

Anonymous

October 3, 2008

Missing you brother. I think about you everyday. Your a true Hero and I will never forget you.

Deputy
HVSO

June 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 1, 2008

It's been 3 years... missing that smile. God Bless!

Friend

April 12, 2008

Kurt,

Three years has gone and I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I stopped by and dropped off the picture. Thank you for watching over us and keeping things right. You are missed!! I will be by later this year. Love you man.

Symonds

Officer Stephen R. Symonds
Kechi PD

April 11, 2008

Hello Kurt. Yesterday was 3 years since you were taken from us. You are in our thoughts so often. We were just talking about you and how you would light up a room with your smile and humor. Handsome and Funny. Michael misses you as do I. We keep in touch with the Newton and Harvey County guys. They are some of the nicest guys ever. Smile Kurt and know we love you.

md and cd

Friend

April 10, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

Its hard to believe that it has been almost three years now you and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers keep watch over us and keep us protected while we continue the job you started and the job you loved

March 19, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 25, 2007

Kurt,

I just helped with traffic control for a fallen fire fighter who passed in the line of duty. He was well respected and many people showed up.
The whole time I was watching I kept thinking of the few years that have gone by and how I keep telling some of your stories. Take care of that fire fighter and please keep watching over all of us working the road and elsewhere.
I have a wife now and she was with me when the end of your watch came. She is scared, but she understands. Keep us safe and I miss you.

Symonds

September 28, 2007

Kurt,

I remember the day after Sheriff Samuels was killed you pulled up next to me while I was trying to run radar on Main Street. You asked me if I was going to go to the memorial service, of course my answer was yes. I asked you if you were going to go and you said of course, its the highest honor you can give someone. You should have seen all the people at your service.

I guess I will never fully understand why God would allow a such a dishonorable man to take the life of a man performing an honorable service.

I hope someday your boys can read these messages and feel proud their father gave so much.

June 19, 2007

Kurt it is very hard to believe that it has been 2 years since you have passed i still remeber the time that we had coffee the night before you passed on sorry that i havent been to your grave to see you it is just so hard to go by i only want to remeber the good times that we shared. please continue to watch over us

Love you Man

May 25, 2007

Its been just over two years ago since we lost you Kurt. I still remember the day as it was yesterday. Keep watching over us until we one by one come home to see you brother.

April 11, 2007

730 days gone by and not one passes that we don't think about or talk about you. Every day to come we will continue to honor you and your sacrifice! R.I.P 918!

Erin Rousseau
Proud wife of NPD Officer & ERT member Brian Roussseau

April 10, 2007

Kurt, I am honored to have known you and serve with you. I think of you often. Every time I go out to the range to qualify, I remember how great it was to see your big smile and brotherhood charm. WE all miss you and you will never be forgotten!

Deputy Brian K. Sapp
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 9, 2007

Kurt, I am honored to have known you and serve with you. I think of you every time I go out to the Range to qualify. I was always glad to see you out there with your big smile and brotherhood charm. WE all love you Kurt and you will never be forgotten!

Deputy Brian K. Sapp
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 9, 2007

I was a new Halstead Police Officer when I first met "Odie". He and his partner, Jim showed up in town to introduce themselves. In a matter of minutes of meeting these two characters, I was laughing like a fool! It always made a slow night alot more entertaining in a real small town.

Kurt, you always had a way of making people you just met seem like a best friend. When I went to Butler County, you still made it a point to meet up in Whitewater and visit. The amazing thing about you is, I NEVER heard you utter a bad word about anybody. That was just who you were, and you were loved by all. Two things were certain when #918 was backing you, #1, you could not have a better man watching your back, #2, after it was all said and done, Kurt would have you laughing!

Law enforcement lost one of the best two years ago tonight, Kurt, you will never be forgotten.

Go easy bro!

Wade Everett
Former Halstead Officer

April 9, 2007

Kurt,
Two years ago now. I will never forget listening to that message. I often wonder why it had to happen. I also think back and smile about the days we spent running the range together and how we both talked about missing our "homes" while we worked at Douglas County. I only had the priviledge of knowing you for those few years, but I learned so much from you. You were such an outstanding person. You made such an impact on so many people.

I know you are up there now, watching over us. As much as I wish you were still here, there is nobody else I would rather have watching my six as we carry on down here. Keep smiling Kurt, as I know you are. I look forward to seeing you again someday, my friend. I miss you.

Officer Andy Lundin
Sheboygan Police Department

April 9, 2007

Two years today. So much left unsaid. I miss you every day.
Love, Sis

Karla Winslow-Newton, KS

April 9, 2007