Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten in the law enforcement family. The road ahead is long and difficult for those you had to leave behind. God bless you and them also.

Surviving GA Fiancee 2003

June 20, 2005

I am so sorry for the loss of Deputy Sanford. My son was killed in the exact same manner. I know the pain you feel, as do so many other survivors.

I know no words can help at this time, but you are not alone in your pain. We all grieve for you, and our hearts and prayers are with you every step in this long journey.

I can promise you one thing, at some point in time, you will hear the birds again, and feel the sunshine.

May God bless you all,
Mary Fisher

Mother, Deputy Kevin Sherwood
Clare County, MI EOW 10/09/03

June 20, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy John W. Sanford, Jr., and the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Deputy Sanford, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

June 20, 2005

Thank you for your service to Northumberland County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. May God bless your family, friends and department.

Patrol Officer
Chesterfield County Police Department

June 20, 2005

My condolences to the family of Deputy Sheriff John W. Sanford Jr., continue to remember the bravery of this courageous man. May the Lord continue to strengthen you in the time of your your loss. God bless you!!!

Deputy James Bradford
Bradley County Sheriff Office

June 20, 2005

We are so sorry to hear of this tragedy. We pray for John's soul and those who survive. May he rest in peace......

Chief of Police Charles R. Orth
Larned, Kansas Police Department

June 20, 2005

God bless you Deputy Sanford for your service and sacrifice. To your family -may God bless you all in this difficult time. I recently went through the same time. Just trust in the Lord and you will be reunited again one day soon. Be proud of Deputy Sanford, he is no longer on part time watch, but eturnally on watch with God.

Kevin Cannon
Brother of Keith Cannon EOW 5/4/05

June 20, 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

June 20, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
And our hope of you is stedfast,
knowing, that as ye are partakers
of the sufferings, so shall ye be
also of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:7

Kevin Kelly- Chris' co-worker/friend

June 20, 2005

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Sanford. May God bless you all in this terrible time of loss.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

June 20, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

June 20, 2005

God bless Deputy Sheriff John W. Sanford Jr., his family, and the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

June 20, 2005

It deeply saddens me to see a brother deputy killed in the line of duty, especially in my own back yard. My deepest sympathy to Deputy Sanford's family and to the Northumberland Sheriff's Office.

D/S Jason W. Houston
York County Sheriff's Office

June 20, 2005

My condolences go out to the family and friends of a brother officer who gave his life doing a job others could not fathom. God bless.

Officer Shawn Eckhart
Dep of the Army Police

June 20, 2005

Your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers now. May GOD bless them all. Thank you for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

June 20, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother...another warrior called home. We are proud of you. God bless your family and comrades.

Trooper Bo Speed
Texas Highway Patrol

June 20, 2005

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NORTHCUMBERLAND SHERIFF'S OFFICE MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
TO MY BROTHER IN BROWN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND MAY YOU REST EASY FOR NOW WE HAVE YOUR WATCH.
DEPUTY SANFORD PLEASE WATCH OVER US AS WE CARRY ON WITH OUR DUTIES WITH YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
GODSPEED BROTHER!

Deputy Sheriff
Southwest Virginia

June 20, 2005

You will be missed but not fogotten. You were a HERO for the way you lived not because of the way you died.

Officer G. Phillips
Texas Dept. Criminal Just.

June 20, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy John W. Sanford, his good deeds to his community and country will always be remembered. May God bless you.

Chief Ferrell J. Stewart
Cooter, MO Police Department

June 20, 2005

You will not be forgotten Deputy Sanford. God bless your department and family.

Michigan Police Sgt

June 20, 2005

Rest in peace Brother John, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham Retired
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

June 19, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff John Sanford Jr. You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communities. Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

June 19, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of this Police Department,our deepest sympathys to the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy John W. Sanford Jr. Rest in peace brother, we now have the watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, NY

June 19, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

June 19, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sanford Jr. 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, GA

June 19, 2005