Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“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

July 25, 2005

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Thank you for your service to your community, Trooper Cila, and may the Lord comfort your family at this difficult time.

Wife of a Deputy
San Bernardino County, CA

July 25, 2005

On behalf of the Indiana State Police we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Trooper Cila and the Troopers of the Massachusetts State Police. Thank You for your service and dedication.
Rest in Peace Trooper, a job well done.
You can now walk Heaven's beat with your fellow Troops and my friends: Trooper Paul Perry and Trooper Mark Charbonnier

Senior Trooper Robert Brophy
Indiana State Police

July 25, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Vincent Cila, and the Massachusetts State Police. 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. Trooper Cila, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

July 25, 2005

Deepest sympathy to the family of Trooper Cila and the members of the Massachusetts State Police. Rest easy brother, you have served well.

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

July 25, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for your many years of service and dedication. Rest in peace, Sir.

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

July 25, 2005

On behalf of all of the Officers of the Wayne County Airport Police and our Motor Unit, we send our sincere sympathies to Trooper Cila's friends and family.

Officer
Wayne County Airport Police

July 25, 2005

Godspeed brother! Rest assured your family will be well taken care of by members of your department, your family.

Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

July 24, 2005

Rest well troop, your dedication and sacrafice will never be forgotten. God bless..........

Trooper Denis McGuckin
Michigan State Police, Post 38

July 24, 2005

Our deepest condolences from your brothers and sisters in southern Maine. Rest in peace.

Cpl. Steve Borst
Wells, Maine P.D.

July 24, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

July 24, 2005

I was saddened to read about the accident involving Trooper Vincent Cila. This was such a tragedy.
It is my hope that the family, friends and co-workers may find some sense of peace during this difficult time. Just know that there are folks all across this country that will pray for you.
Motor jockies are a special breed of cop. I spent approximately 13 years of a nearly 30 year career on motors and though I did not know Trooper Cila it would be my guess that he dearly loved the job.
May God's eternal love and endless blessings be upon you.

Patrolman Doug Hutchison
Irving Police Department, Texas, retired.

July 24, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Trooper Cila. May you rest in peace, we thank you for you dedicated service. God bless the friends and family.

Police Department
Town of Bellingham, Massachusetts

July 24, 2005

Rest in Peace Trooper Cila. Words will never describe how thankful we all are for your dedication to the people of this great Country. A HERO NEVER DIES!

Officer Mel Bowen
Florida Department of Corrections

July 24, 2005

Your age and years of service match mine.

Rest in peace, Soldier of the Law.

Chaplain Tom Shelley
Pennsylvania State Police

July 24, 2005

I saw the heavens open up.
The earth shook with fear.
For Evil, knew of God's Army.
They were Heroes, Men on steel horses.

Copyrighted 2005 herotohero

Sgt. James Crawford
Lower Providence Twp Police Dept.

July 24, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Cila's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. May God be with you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

July 24, 2005

God Speed brother. We lost a Trooper two weeks ago and the pain seems to get worse. I hope that our prayers will ease your pain. To the family I am truly sorry for this to have happened. My deepest prayers always.

State Trooper D Osborne /K-9 Coco
Tennessee Highway Patrol

July 24, 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

July 24, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you the strength to rejoice in his life.

CPD Wife

July 24, 2005

Trooper Cila.
Rest in peace, and keep watching our backs from above. My prayers go out to your family and my brothers and sisters at the Massachusetts State Police.

Cpl. Simon Baumler
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit 11

July 24, 2005

Such a sad event to such a great trooper, thank you sir!

MA STATE POLICE STUDENT TROOPER

July 24, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

July 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Officer Shaun McCready
Greenfield Township (PA) Police Department

July 24, 2005

As an avid motorcyclist, I am always saddened to learn of the death of anyone on a bike and much more so when it's an officer on duty. Rest In Peace. Live to Ride, Ride to Live.

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent
FBI

July 24, 2005