Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Smith. May you receive strenth from God and that He will comfort your hearts, for your loved one is now in a wonderful place. God bless each and every one of you. Thank you, Officer Smith, for your service. Thank you to all officers. May you know that someone is praying for you out there.

Jen
Gallup Police

August 22, 2005

Godspeed brother...wishing you a great ride, on a cool day. Thanks for your service, and may GOD hold tightly onto your family and friends....

Motor Officer K G Varichak
Scottsdale, AZ. PD

August 22, 2005

May you rest in peace in the arm of the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you and your family. You are a true hero Sir.

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

August 22, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Richard Smith, and the Albuquerque P.D. 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. Officer Smith, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

August 22, 2005

Rest easy my friend and may God bless and protect your family. Your service has made us all proud.

Sgt. Cody H. Fulkerson
Missouri State Highway Patrol

August 22, 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

August 22, 2005

Please allow me to offer my condolences to the families of Officers Smith and King and to all the offiers of the Albuquerque Police Department. Your loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice and we as a brotherhood of police officers will always remember them and their bravery. Know that you are all in our prayers. We lost three officers in Birmingham last year. Two of them were friends of mine. The pain from this loss will eventually subside, but the memory of what these men stood for will remain forever. Support and love each other during this time of grieving.

Officer David Rockett
Birmingham (AL) Police Department

August 22, 2005

Officer Smith,
You and your family are in our prayers.Resy Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Ofc. Amy Sperandeo
JEfferson Parish Sheriffs Office. Gretna Police Dept.LA

August 21, 2005

rest in peace...god bless you.

skip roberson

August 21, 2005

I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Rick's wife and daughter, as well as the entire Albuquerque Police Dept.
Currently living in New Hampshire, I was deeply saddened when I learned of this trajedy though separate conversations with both of my sisters Terri and Linda, who are deeply moved by this tragedy. Both of my sisters are close friends of Rick's since Manzano High School back in the 1970's, and each contacted me with the very sad news. My sisters and I, as well as our parents, extend our most sincere sympathy. We will keep his family, friends and fellow officers, in our thoughts and prayers always.

Debbie Cannon Forbes

August 21, 2005

Ricky, there are so many memories of you. Your wonderful smile and easy laugh. You turning on the patrol car lights to make the children in our driveway laugh. You dancing at my daughters' wedding with your beautiful little daughter standing on your toes to dance with her daddy. Christmas eve with family, and you in your uniform, heading out to do your job. We may have only been cousins by marriage, but you and your beautiful wife will always have a special place in my heart. I know that God is holding you close to him, and that someday, we will see you again. Until then, rest in peace. Love, Dee Dee Parker

Dee Dee Parker

August 21, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Albuquerque Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Officer Smith deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a person than the will to give their life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Officer Smith is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

Tom Doyle
Cary Police Department, NC

August 21, 2005

Officer Smith, you are a true hero. God bless you, may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 21, 2005

You are a true hero to the city of Albuquerque. How you served our city will never be forgotten by many grateful citizens. My thoughts and prayers, as well as my families, are with your family and your fellow officers. Though I never knew you or Officer King, I feel as if there is a large void in my heart. Rest in peace

Son of an officer

August 21, 2005

Officer Smith....you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers....please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue....your sacrifice will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN....REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

girlfriend of a leo
michigan

August 21, 2005

Uncle Ricky
I just wanted to say that I love you very much!!. I will miss you a whole lot.
You were a very good cop and you were very good at what you did.You were also the best uncle a kid could ever have.I will see you in heaven.

Your nephew
Brandon Meek

son and nephew of police officers
APD & Nesquite PD

August 21, 2005

Their hearts are too big
Their wallets too thin.
They're an integral part
Of the world we live in.

They're at work everyday;
Come rain, sleet or snow.
'Cause dedication and honor
Are all that they know.

They deal with the worst
Day in and day out.
They're the ones who come running
When it's help that you shout.

They wear badges and guns
These modern-day knights.
But neither of these
Protect them from fright.

They get hit, kicked and spit on
And oinked at like swine.
Yet they always come back
With boots and belt shined.

They stand their ground firm
When others would run.
And when it's over, they smile
As if to them it's great fun.

When all else is bad
They're the ones doing good.
Doing right by the law
As we all know we should.

Still often it seems
They get no respect.
Some even gripe
When they catch a suspect.

They violated my rights!
The guilty will say.
But how about what they
Give up everyday?

They don't see their kids,
Their husband or wife.
To the families it seems
That the job is the life.

They get slashed at and stabbed;
Beaten, bloodied and shot.
And all too often,
One gives all he's got.

Brave brothers and sisters
Is what they all are.
When one is killed,
They mourn near and far.

Only then do we see
Their toughness wear thin.
And just for a moment,
They let us all in.

They're human you see,
These warriors true.
Regardless of if
They wear green, brown or blue.

They distinguish themselves
Above all the rest.
And it's not just about
The badge on their chest.

For they see the things
We don't want to see.
They are the ones
That protect you and me.

They do all the things
Only the finest will do.
They're the brave men and women
Of the thin line of blue.


"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God."

August 21, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

V-28
USBP

August 21, 2005

God Speed Brother. Bless your family, Friends and Brothers/Sisters in Blue. Your sacrafice will not be forgotten.

Ofc
PCBPD

August 21, 2005

May God bless and comfort Officer Smith's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Psalm 55:22

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

August 21, 2005

Rick was my cousin. His death came as such a shock to me. You always know that the potential for such a death exists for those who wear uniforms to protect us but it is too painful to contemplate that it can actually happen. I never thought that Rick would be a "hero" but that is truly what he was and is. Someone who was willing to put his life on the line each day for the rest of us. He will be missed by all of us who knew him.

Reece Parker

August 21, 2005

To Richard and Mike, God Bless both of you

Sgt Jan (Yawn) Olstad
Albuquerque Police Dept

August 21, 2005

Good men doing their duty is a mere shadow of the courage these men had in the line of duty and in everday life. Good men Loving their families and putting their lives on the line for every citizen known to them or not shows the greatness of these fallen heroes. Heroes is a word that seems to fall short and is often overused but here these men live up to and surpass that title. You will be missed greatly and always honored as you deserve.

APD Officer

August 21, 2005

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go, Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always, Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own, And in time when men decide and feel safe to call the streets insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. We will see you in Elysium...

OFC Crociata
GPD

August 21, 2005

G-d Speed My Brother

UC
Ohio DPS Inv Unit

August 21, 2005