Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You made the ultimate sacrifice and have a tremendous amount of people who respect and love you. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten

Deputy Blake Hernandez
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office

August 13, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Detective Melancon's family, friends and co-workers. May God bless you. Psalm 55:22

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

August 13, 2005

Terry, you were a wonderful young man that I enjoyed knowing from the time of your birth. As a friend of your Mom and Dad for many years I grieve at your loss. I know you are with God now and I know that God's love for will sustain your family through this terrible ordeal. I will miss being with. You are a hero Lil Terry. Suzanne and I will miss your good nature and your smiling face.

Fred and Suzanne Breese
Conway, SC

Fred & Suzanne Breese

August 13, 2005

My prayers go out to the family and friends of Terry Melancon.May he rest in peace.

Christi S

August 13, 2005

You, your family, and your department are in my prayers.

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

August 13, 2005

Rest in Peace, Breother.

Supervisor J. A. Reid
Tangipahoa Parish SO

August 13, 2005

Farwell Det. Terry Melancon prayers go out to you and your family. Farwell Brother the watch is ours now rest in peace.

Dy. Travis Snyder
East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office

August 13, 2005

To the family, friends, and coworkers of Det. Melancon, I know your pain and sorrow. My husband was recently killed by gunfire while responding to a call. I want you to rest assured that Terry is with you at all times. For his "family" at work, know that he is with you with each service that you provide to the community. He is your angel now. The last four lines of the poem that represents my husbands life reads...
God says..
"Step forward now, policeman
You've born your burden well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Det. Melancon, REST IN PEACE...

Shelley Gonzalez
Wife of Sgt. Roy Gonzalez,
Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office
Killed in the line of duty: 07-15-2005

Shelley Gonzalez
Wife of Fallen Deputy, Sgt. Roy Gonzalez

August 13, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

August 13, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

August 13, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Melancon; may he rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

August 13, 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

August 13, 2005

Detective Melancon our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, you have made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of the great state of Louisiana. Rest assured that you will not have died in vain. Only the good die young, rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer, Nelson Marti
New York State Park Police

August 13, 2005

You are a true hero; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 13, 2005

On behalf of all members of the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department, I would like to extend our prayers to the family of Tom Melancon. The Baton Rouge Police Department is, without question, a part of his family. We shall not forget you, Detective......and your sacrifice will never be in vain. Rest easy brother.

Sgt Rusty Herring
Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department

August 13, 2005

Terry,

I did not know you as well as your bothers in the narcotics division. We talked from time to time. I remember you always being in a good mood. It was obvious you had found your calling as a police officer. In the past few days I have come to know you through others words. Words like, enthusiastic, hard working, honorable, a cops cop, a great human being, and driven. I think it would make anyone proud, to know that these words were used to describe them.
God bless and God Speed. For all you gave I know the gates in heaven were opened when you got there and the angels bowed their heads in tribute.

A. Cheney
Baton Rouge Police Dept.

August 12, 2005

"Oh how we cried the day you left us.
We gathered round the grave to grieve.
I wish I could see the angels faces
when they hear your sweet voice sing.
Go rest high on that mountain.
Son, your work on Earth is done.
Go to Heaven shoutin,
Love for the Father and the Son.
Rest in Peace brother Terry...we will keep up the fight in your memory.

Deputy Laura Steele
E.B.R.Parish Sheriff's Office

August 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

August 12, 2005

I am faced with the potential of your tragedy every day kicking doors. Your incident will never be forgotton with me. I will pass on what your were faced with on the other side of the door. You are a warrior. Thank you for your dedication to your calling. May you rest in Peace brother. God bless your family.

Narcotics Sergeant
Arizona Choir Boys LEMC reg. IV President

August 12, 2005

Detective Melancon, Thank You for your service to our community. My condolences to the Melancon family and to the BRCPD. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Officer
Probation & Parole Baton Rouge District

August 12, 2005

Rest in piece my brother. Your job here was well done and now its time for you to enjoy the rewards of Heaven. May your family and friend find peace in knowing that you are in Heaven with our Father protecting his flock in that big blue sky.

Deputy Barry Matherne
St.Charles Parish Sheriff's Office

August 12, 2005

God bless this fallen hero. To Terry's family, friends, and coworkers: please accept my deepest condolences. Being in a similar type of unit, I know you do this job because you love it. Feel comforted in knowing Terry died doing what he loved.

Andrew, Police Officer
Baltimore City Police

August 12, 2005

Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. Our deepest sympathy to the family of Detective Terry Melancon and the Baton Rouge City Police Department. God be with you our law enforcement brother.

Narcotics Unit
St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office

August 12, 2005

Does John Q citizen realize the bravery
Terry, Neal and Dennis possessed when they entered the residence not knowing what faced them on the other side. This is done by thousands of law enforcement officers each and every day. Thank God for men and women like them who protect us. Terry you were killed doing what you loved,police work. I know your parents, sisters, grandparents and uncles, especially Lynn are very proud. You were carrying on a family tradition and doing it with honor and pride.
Thanks Terry you are the best.

Keith Breithaupt
Baton Rouge City Police ( retired Major )

August 12, 2005

Terry,

There are no words to express the feelings of all those who miss you. The only things that come to mind are the words from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
"As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my grace shall deal."
Let the hero born of woman crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on!

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave;
He is wisdom to the mighty, he is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave.
Our God is marching on.

In beauty of the lilies, Christ born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Wonder not about your family, friends and brother and sister officers. We have the watch and the forces of evil shall be vanquished.

Lt. Stephen Jackson
Baton Rouge Police Dept.

August 12, 2005