Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

GOD BLESS...

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

April 30, 2005

Upon the markers of their graves
Our heroes etched in names we save
For all the life they gave with pride
To keep the peace within life's stride

To honor serve and do their best
To keep us safe through any quest
They gave up what was theirs to share
Their spirits shall be always near

No fear within the hearts and minds
To keep us safe within our times
The glory that is ours to see
Those special hearts of bravery

They have walked where no man dare
Their lives in danger with no care
For they have given all they could
For their courage we have stood

In awe of every one who gave
His life for others who they saved
So we will know their contribution
Their firm resolve and resolution

For those they left with hearts so broken
In every whispered word that's spoken
We bow our heads in confirmation
In every word life's revelation

Those who stand within their shoes
Will follow courage as they choose
And give to all the best they had
They carry on with spirits glad

We will know that they walked through
With colors bright and hearts so true
No Island stands alone they say
For heroes they are born this way

Protecting those with loyalty
A glimpse of so much royalty
Within the years of courage bound
These officers have earned their crown

Upon the earth we shall remember
The special goals and all their thunder
That proves a hero came our way
Who left their hearts on earth to stay.

~ Francine Pucillo ~
(c)Copyright November 16, 2004
In Memory of all those lost in the line
of fire with courage, strength and love.

ASST.CHIEF BILL (PUTT)LINDER
E.O.W. 10/10/04

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT. WISNER,LOUISIANA

April 29, 2005

Rest in peace brother! Kudos to the 3rd officer!

Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

April 29, 2005

I am long time friend of Mark, I met Mark at Western Illinois where we were roommates for a year. I can honestly say without a doubt, he is one of the best human beings I've ever met in my lifetime. He was full of integrity and pride. He was honest and humble at his best. He was like a gentle giant. This is a great loss for the Cross family and anyone who has been blessed with knowing Mark. This is your boy Chaka from the "D". You will always be remembered and loved

Chaka Hytower

April 29, 2005

I have had the pleasure of knowing the Cross family for 15 years. We lost touch for several years and became reaquainted within the last year.

Mark was a friend, a confidant, and an overall remarkable individual. I will miss Mark's constant words of encouragement and his abundance of positive energy.

My deepest condolences to the Cross family, during this tragical moment.

Fond memories of Mark will exist in the hearts of many.

Rosalyn E. Lewis

Rosalyn E. Lewis

April 29, 2005

Officer Cross you gave the ultimate sacrifice and are a true hero...May god be with your family,friends and brothers of the APD
Rest in peace sir

Paramedic
Louisville Metro EMS

April 29, 2005

God bless you for your gallant service to your community. God speed, my brother.

Ofc. Billy Renfro
Bremerton PD

April 29, 2005

You did your job, you will be missed. I have seen my fellow officers in the same circumstances as this and know the pain all too well. My heart goes to all my fellow officers from Atlanta.

P/O Juan Carlos Navarro
New Orleans Police Dept

April 29, 2005

RIP hero may you and all of the rest of the fallen heros keep us on earth safe from harm.

Reserve Deputy/D.O Doug Crisp
Lyon County sheriff dept kansas

April 29, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Mark Cross and the Atlanta Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Mark... 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 28, 2005

Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed by all those who served with you.

Reserve Officer
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

April 28, 2005

My prayers are with the family and I hope for peace of mind to understand the why's of this city we work in. God Bless.

Inv. David V. Hickey
Georgia State University Police

April 28, 2005

It is obvious from reading the reflections of your co-workers that you were a "cops cop." Squared away, always working hard, mentoring younger officers. You have honored yourself, your family and your profession not just in your death but more importantly in your life. You set an example for us all. May God provide the needed comfrot for your family and your co-workers in the days ahead. I teach recruits patrol techniques and I will use your story to honor your sacrifice.

Sergeant in NC

April 28, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother in Blue
"blessed are the peace makers"
matthew 5:9

Patrolman Ivan Davis
Ashburn Police Department (Georgia)

April 28, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family and friends and to the Atlanta Police Department. You are missed by many who knew you and those of us who didn't have the opportunity to meet you. God Bless

Officer Kim Budreau
Medford Police Dept. Oregon

April 28, 2005

Although i did not know you personally, i saw you almost on a daily basis. You are and always will be one of my brothers and you will forever be missed. God bless you and your family and thank you for the sacrifices you have made.

Officer Muir
Atlanta Police Dept.

April 28, 2005

Please allow me to extend my deepest sympathies to the family, ellow officers, and friends of Mark Cross. I helped bury a very close friend on my wife's department for New Years, and my own department just lost another good man on the 16th of this month. Both were gunned down by murderoous cowards. There is an epidemic going on in this country that most people are blissfully unaware of. I am with the silent minority who understand your pain, and I grieve with you for your loss.

Ptlm. Douglas Allin
Providence, RI Police Dept.

April 28, 2005

A uniform, a gun, a badge upon your chest.
These things make not super beings ...
just men and women, human like the rest.
Though sometimes taken for granted,
or even viewed with scorn or spite ...
Some eyes see you for what you truly are ...
A shield against the night.

At times your job is thankless.
Another shift has gone by,
and not a kind word is spoken,
not a single word at all.
Those endless hours spent filling out
reports bring nothing but boredom.
A headache rages in your skull.

You may ask yourself if it is really worth it?
There are many risks, no progress in sight.
The answer is a simple yes my friend,
for you are a cop, an officer ...
A shield against the night.

An car overturned, a robbery, a chase,
consoling a victim, whispering all will be well.
A frightened child's hand is held,
he is lost and out of place.
The call of duty is answered
no hesitation, no question.
A champion to those who can not fight.
You stand alone sometimes,
the only thing between the darkness
and the light.

A hero every minute, no matter how mundane the day.
Take pride in what you do.
Although very human,
You my friend....are
A shield against the night.

I used to live 30 mintues outside of Atlanta and had visited Atlanta many times and I can honestly say that the officers of Atlanta had a dangerous job because Atlanta could be a rough place, but they did they did with pride and honor just as Officer M. Cross did. Ofc. Cross know that you will never be forgotten and you will be dearly missed. You served and protected and served the citzens of Atlanta and did a great job doing it. Another brave brother in blue has crossed the thin blue line, my deepest sypahties go out to Ofc. Cross's family, friends, and fellow co-workers, as you have taken you final 10-42, Rest in Peace and God Bless

Anonymous

April 28, 2005

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Cross.

While no one who wears a badge wants to be put into such a situation, he put himself into the line of fire to protect those whom he might not have even known despite the danger. While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven.

Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

April 28, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Officer Cross and to all the personnel of the Atlanta Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

April 28, 2005

I have had the honor and priviledge of have this fine officer and this partners on the Red Dog Unit in our training programs.

To the family of Officer Cross, we know he did it right. The great Police Chief in the sky just needed another great officer in his department.

We will miss him and we will honor his service in future programs as a hero to all.

Carlos F. Ortiz

Program Director, Drug Enforcment
Georgia Police Academy

April 28, 2005

I was saddened to learn of the death of PO Mark Cross. When I returned to work from a brief vacation in Atlanta, I learned that PO Cross is the son of a current FBI Supervisory Special Agent so it hits even closer to home. My prayers go out to SSA Cross and his family and the friends and colleagues of PO Cross.

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent
FBI Detroit

April 28, 2005

The lordliest of all things! Life lends us only feet, Death gives us wings.
-Frederic Lawrence Knowles

My prayers go to you and your family. Thank you for your service, you will never be forgotton

Officer J. Childers
Atlanta PD

April 27, 2005

Officer Cross (Mark to me) and I started together in the APD Academy. We then went on to work together in the same zone. During that time we developed a very close friendship, a friendship that I will cherish forever. We did many things together; serving at the G8 Summit last year, going back to college, and going to the Falcons games as season ticket holders. He was a friend in the truest meaning of the word. Mark would have been a groomsman in my upcoming wedding. His absence will really be missed. But more importantly Mark was a family man. His wife Gem, son Thai, and daughter Aida were his world. He demonstrated his love for themover and over again.

Mark meant so much to me and it it obvious that his wonderful personality left a mark on the police community and anyone else who knew him. Mark, thank you for the memories. I have learned so much from you. I will keep you with me in spirit. You will truely be missed.

Jay

Officer J. P. Rollins
Atlanta Police Department

April 27, 2005

To Mark's Family, please know that we are thinking of you and pray for you to find the strength to get through this difficult time. The FBI Family will always be here for you.

Special Agent
FBI Chicago

April 27, 2005