Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I have know Mark since we were hired and went to the academy together. He also tried hard and wanted to do more and do it better. In the police academy he was given the nickname "All day" I was next to him during PT and and one of the instructors was yelling and tell us to do more push ups. He told the instructor that he could do push up all day long and never stop. Mark was part of academy class 171 and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Officer J.D. Cantin Zone 3 CID
Atlanta Police Department

April 27, 2005

When I was a recruit, I was assigned to the Red Dog unit where I had the pleasure of working with Ofc Cross. Every day he would come in with a smile on his face and he made sure to ask how everything was going. He would help me out with advice on how to succeed in the academy and would quiz me on my signals and codes. Being a recruit, having a veteran officer take time out of his day, to help make me better, meant everything. Thats what type of person Ofc Cross was. You will be missed brother. Thank you for everything.

Police Officer
APD

April 27, 2005

Thank you for your service. You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

April 27, 2005

Cross, I never met you personally, I saw you around here and there and I knew you were a great officer. I have only been around the department for 3 years myself. You being around 6 years is considered a veteran in Atlanta's turnover rate. You will be missed, I am away on duty in iraq, but I was saddened to hear of the departments loss of a good officer. My thoughts are with your family.

-DP

Officer Daniel B. Paul
APD

April 27, 2005

To my extended family on the APD. I have not been around in a while as I have been serving my country in many places. That does not mean that I do not think of you all often. I wish I could be there to assist in your time of need. I am sorry that I did not know Mark Cross better. I only met him briefly but I thought he was a nice person and a pleasure to be around. Bless you all in your time of sorrow. Please take care of each other and our families. Sincerely,

W.K. Murdock
Formerly of Special Operations
Unit 1043

GySgt W.K. Murdock
US Marine Corps

April 27, 2005

I never got a chance to know Officer Cross at APD, but everyone who knew him talks of his smile and how he "gave it his all."

May his wife, children, family, friends and coworkers take solice in the fact that he died doing what he loved and that his killer will never kill again.

Rest in peace, for you died a hero's death.

Officer Jed Davis
Emory University Police Dept. (formerly w/ APD)

April 27, 2005

Officer Mark Cross was a very good friend and co worker of mine. We have been on the streets together our whole career until he went to our Red Dog Unit. I want to thank everyone for their support for the family and friends. And if know Mark he is loving all this attention. Thank again and be safe.
Officer T.Lewis
APD forever....

Officer T. Lewis
Atlanta Police Dept.

April 27, 2005

To the family of PO Mark Cross:
It is again that we feel the pain of another fallen officer in the line of duty....My heart and prayers go out to you all, as you go through this tragedy, but God can heal all sorrows, continue to trust in Him and He will be your source of comfort, for I know what I'm talking about, I lost a brother another fallen officer in July'04(Deputy Sheriff Wesley Mack), and there is not a day that I don't remember him....Just stay strong and my prayers are with you all!

Prayerfully yours,
Mrs. Carolyn Mack Holley
sister of Dep. Wesley Mack

Mrs. Carolyn Mack Holley

April 27, 2005

It was a honor to have you as my partner for the past 2 years. Thank you for always watching out for me and most of all for being my friend. I will miss you dearly. Our unit mourns the loss of a great officer. You will never be forgotten.

Officer RJ Sperl
Atlanta PD / REDDOG Unit

April 27, 2005

In God's heart you now rest....

Former GSP Trooper

April 27, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the La Habra Police Department we send our thoughts and condolences to the Atlanta Police Department and the family of Officer Cross. It doesn't matter where we work, when one of our brothers or sisters fall, we all feel the pain and the loss. Rest in peace Officer Cross. You will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra PD, California

April 27, 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 27, 2005

God Bless Your Family aand Thank You for Your Service Brother. Rest in Peace

Deputy Sheriff
Effingham County Sheriff's Office

April 27, 2005

My thoughts and prayer are extended to the family,friends,and co-workers of Officer Cross.

Trooper C.E. Johnson Jr.
Virginia State Police

April 27, 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 Mark did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Mark be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Cross' 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 Mark 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 Mark was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Officer Cross 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 27, 2005

Rest in peace brother

Officer Kiefer
Hamilton PD

April 27, 2005

Dear Mrs. Cross, my husband was killed in the line of duty one month ago yesterday. Please try to be strong; the next few weeks will be very difficult for you but you will get through it. I am praying for you and your children. I have 2 children also, a 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son - they are my reason for getting out of bed every morning. I understand what you are going through and I know how hard it is. Please know that there are many, many people who are willing to help you get through this. I am praying for you. Be strong. God bless you.

Carin E. Sollman
wife of slain police officer Jesse E. Sollman EOW 3/25/05

April 26, 2005

God’s Hero in Blue
He walked life’s lonely path with honor, Lord,
Protecting those you sent his way…
Until, at last, with task well done,
Your call is heard today.
We hear you saying:
“Come, my friend, with me apart…from years of service rest.
You’ve helped the poor, protected all, you’ve passed Life’s every test.
You did not falter, did not fail though weary was your soul
I saw your tears, I felt your fears…I helped you toward your goal.
Beneath that badge there beat a heart, strong, courageous, true…
When duty called, you answered, my hero dressed in blue!
Come, my friend, your reward awaits: the law you did obey.
Faithful through life’s endless storms you showed my people the way.
Your beat is ended; roll call’s done! Now, rest on Heaven’s shore.
The good you did so willingly will remain forever more.”
Thank you; Father, for your great love as we cherish his memory dear
We offer this brave soul to you…be with him ever near.
And when, at last, we hear your call may we each take our place
On Heaven’s shore, eternal home, beneath your kindly gaze.
By:Sister Ann Stamm
Livonia Police Chaplin

Federal Officer
US Treasury Dept.

April 26, 2005

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

Officer Jack Manuel
Pocono Twp Police, Pa

April 26, 2005

Again we mourn as another Georgia hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Cross. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

April 26, 2005

Officer Cross was a dedicated and professional Police Officer. I know because I worked side by side with him, on two different teams, in the Red Dog Unit. He was the kind of officer that did it the right way and gave 110%. I will miss him, Red Dog will miss him, APD will miss him. To the members of Red Dog, I wish I could be with you now, to comfort and to mourn. You all are in my thoughts. I left the unit, but the unit never leaves you.

To his family, you have my deepest sympathies. I am so sorry for your loss.

S.D. Rosenfeld
Drug Enforcement Administration
(formerly Atlanta Police, RED DOG Unit)

April 26, 2005

God bless you. Rest in peace.


YPD

April 26, 2005

Rest in Peace, thoughts and prayers to your family and friends. You are a true hero!

Officer J.M. Lane
City of Suffolk Virginia PD

April 26, 2005

Thank you Brother for your faithfulness and dedication to duty above and beyond the call. We are proud you are one of us. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S.Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

April 26, 2005

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, mourn the loss of Officer Mark Cross. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family, Police Family and Friends. Officer Cross...we know why you responded with DEDICATION.

Officer
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC

April 26, 2005