Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine that would attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot reframe from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid down so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.
Abraham Lincoln

Detective Mike Frieders
Geneva Police Department, Geneva, Il.

April 14, 2005

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Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

And when I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

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Above Article was written last year by me for a local newspaper. It was then published in 3 more newspapers during National Police Week 2004.

Article Written By:

Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn Mass Police Dept.
www.lynnpolice.org

"Never Forgetting Them, and What They Have Done For Us!"

Off. Paul Cotter
Lynn MA PD

April 14, 2005

Sgt. Figgins, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your dedication to your job. It's that very same dedication that took you from us. My deepest condolences go to the families, friends, and St. Charles Police Department for your loss. Our department is experiencing the same tremendous loss and I can not put into words how much it hurts. Officer Steve Zourkas wanted to be the best he could be as a poice officer and always had a question about the job. Please use your 27 years of knowledge,experience, and dedication and answer all of Steve's questions for us. We will miss you both. Rest in peace my friend.

Detective Tom Fragassi
Niles Police Department

April 14, 2005

"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand."
-Irish Blessings quotes

Dispatcher
Tri-Com Central Dispatch

April 13, 2005

Sgt. Figgins,

You were a true example of what a policeman should be....

Our deepest condolences to your family, and the men and women of your department.

Niles Police Department

April 13, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt. Daniel P. Figgins, your good deeds to your community and country will never be forgotten. May God bless you.

Chief Ferrell J. Stewart
Cooter, MO Police Department

April 13, 2005

The death of SGT Dan Figgins has left a hole in our hearts that will not easily be mended. He was always ready with a twinkling smile and a joking, although sometimes offbeat, comment. The only way we will get through this is to go through it together. The comments and prayers left by our brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement and those who have experienced the loss of a loved one is, and will continue to be, a tremendous help in our healing. God Bless each and every one of you who have taken the time to respond. We will mourn the loss, but we will also celebrate the life.
With much love to all...

Detective Robert Bobinsky
St Charles Illinois Police Department

April 13, 2005

Sgt. Dan Figgins,
We sit here in the station, in shock and disbelief
As we seek and hope to find a way for comfort and relief

There were not a lot of spoken words that could've eased the pain
As fellow workers, friends, and family said good-bye in the cold driving rain

Your daughter's spoke of their love for their dad
And how you loved them so

Your love for your wife, your family, your god
Is something we all know

You patrolled the streets of St. Charles for 27 years
We all would like to say "THANK YOU" as we fight back heart-felt tears.

Detective James Burden
St. Charles, Illinois Police Dept.

April 13, 2005

Please give your family the strength they will need to carry on.

Sorry for your lose

April 13, 2005

The men and women of the Larned, Kansas Police Department want to express our deepest sorrows to the friends and family of this brave hero. You will remain in our daily prayers. God bless your soul. May you rest in heaven.

Chief of Police Charles R. Orth
Larned Police Department

April 13, 2005

Although your watch has come too an end, rest easy my brother knowing that the battle will rage on and that your sacrifice was not in vain, nor will it ever be forgotten.

God bless you and your family.

PC Christopher Ferko
Toronto Police Service, Toronto

April 13, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the Guam Police Department, our deepest condolences.

Sergeant II John P. Rabon
Guam Police Department

April 13, 2005

Dear family your are not alone. There unfortunately is a very large family "COPS" that is just waiting for you to tell us what you need. "If you won't tell us your need we don't know how to best help you to start healing. Yes that word seems impossible but it does happen. We can help guide you over the mountains and valleys that we our selfs have encountered.
My husband was also only 53 when he was killed in 1998. I know much of what your pain is. I also had two grown children girl & boy that can relate well to what your children our going be to encountering. Please let us take your hands and help pull you up. You can reach me at our website by going to www.mocops.org , to the main menu and clicking on "contact MOCOPS"
Wishing for you to find a small amount of peace to carry you thru what life has handed you. Hugs Trudy

Trudy L. Meyers
MOCOPS Treasurer

April 13, 2005

"Blessed are the peace keepers, for they are the sons of god." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

April 12, 2005

Thank you Brother for a job well done . May God bless your loved ones left behind

Sgt L Fear ( Ret )
Oblong Il Police Dept

April 12, 2005

I just wanted kristin and hillary to know that my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Brandi

Brandi Billeter

April 12, 2005

On behalf of the Aurora Police Department, our thaughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Figgins, the Figgins family, and the members of the St. Charles Police Department. Your sacrafice will never be forgotten.

J.Hahn #348
Aurora, IL P.D.

April 12, 2005

May god Bless you , your family and your co-workers. You all will be in my prayers.

T31
Columbus Ohio Police Department

April 12, 2005

God bless you Sarge. The prayers of the Calumet City POlice Criminal Investigations Division go out to you and your family.

Detective
Calumet City PD

April 12, 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

April 12, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for serving and protecting, Sir. Rest in peace.

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

April 12, 2005

Thank you Sergeant Figgins for all the years of service to your community. Blessed comfort to your family and friends. Remember and hold your memories close and he will live forever.

FDM
Douglasville, Georgia

April 12, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Sergeant Daniel P. Figgins and the St. Charles Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Daniel... 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

April 12, 2005

Sgt. Figgins,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of St. Charles.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

April 11, 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 Daniel did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Daniel be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Sergeant Figgins' 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. If you ever need anything please do not hesistate to contact me. Dennis' department will always know how to reach me.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Daniel 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 Daniel was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Sergeant Daniel 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)

April 11, 2005