Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

September 6, 2005

Rest In Peace - Thank you for a job well done Officer Rios.

Lisa
Citizen

September 6, 2005

God bless your family, friends, and co-workers with the Douglas Police Department. Rest in peace my brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia State University Police Department

September 6, 2005

God be with you and your family.

Chaplain R. Webb
Owensboro Ky.PD

September 6, 2005

God be with you and your family.

Chaplain R. Webb
Owensboro Ky.PD

September 6, 2005

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

September 6, 2005

RIP BROTHER OFFICER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND AGENCY. NEVER FORGOTTEN.

DETECTIVE LIONEL GARRETT
INGLEWOOD PD, CA.

September 6, 2005

God bless you Sir. May you rest in peace in Heaven with your brothers in blue who have gone before you.

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

September 6, 2005

Officer Rios, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Keep watch over all those still out on patrol, most importantly, watch over your loved ones.

Robert Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside DP, IL

September 6, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Ramon Rios, and the Douglas 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 Rios, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

September 6, 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

September 6, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Officer Daniel Heltemes
Benson Police Department

September 6, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathys to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Ramon Rios. Rest in Peace Brother, we now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, NY

September 6, 2005

Thank you for your years of dedicated and committed service. It does not go without great appreciation!

Tucson, Az Police Dept

September 6, 2005

Rest in peace, brother... Job well done.

Fellow Officer

September 6, 2005

Ramon,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Douglas.

Michael F. Casey
Border Patrol Agent

September 6, 2005

God bless the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Rios.

mjw 643

September 6, 2005

You fought a good fight and now the lord has taken you to walk the streets of heaven.
To the FAMILY FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS OF OFFICER RIOS there is never any words to say at a timelike this but know you are in my prays and thoughts.

REST IN PEACE BROTHER RIOS THE REST OF US WILL CARRY ON FOR YOU.

ROBERT THORNTON EX-OFFICER AND FRIEND OF OFFICER MELISSA M. FOSTER EOW 12/04/04

ROBERT THORNTON

September 5, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ofc. Rios, his family, friends and fellow officers.

Al Whitney
Yuma SO

September 5, 2005

Ray, we will always think of you and miss you. You gave your life while protecting us from people who should have no rights to live and walk on our streets. We will do our best to make sure your kids are O.K. in your absence. You can take care from above now. God bless your family and your brothers in uniform. YOu will be missed

Tanya Duarte
wife of a D.P.D. officer

September 5, 2005

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

September 5, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO, OFFICER RIOS THANK YOU FOR YOUR 16 YEARS OF SERVICE.I AM A 18 YEAR VETRAN OFFICER, IT NEVER GETS ANY EASIER. TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS PLEASE TURN TO GOD. HE WILL CONFORT YOU AND HELP YOU THROUGH THIS. TO THE OFFICERS OF DOUGLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE BE STRONG, YOUR OTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU. R.I.P. BROTHER. YOU ARE A HERO.

SERGEANT WILLIAM M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPT.

September 5, 2005

God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow. You are a true hero for your sacrifice and you will never be forgotten by your entire police family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 5, 2005

Our Greatest Fear

Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
to many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.


Officer Rios...thank you for all you have given!! Keep watching over us, we will take it from here...God bless you and your family!!!

Officer Justin W Yohe
Sweetser Police Department, Sweetser Indiana

September 5, 2005

IN YOUR MEMORY


Don't cry because you think I'm gone,
for I am with you still.
Don't seek reasons to explain
what is simply just God's will.


It's very hard to leave all of you
and everything I've known,
but my work on earth is done now.
Our Lord has called me home.


I know you will find comfort
Just let faith guide your way.
Cause, from the moment I was born,
I have been preparing for this day.


Remember me for the laughter,
that's the greatest gift we give.
Keep me in your heart and mind
because that's where I now live.


If ever you feel you need me,
you can close your eyes and see,
I'm still right here with you,
I'm alive in your memory.

written by:
Anne Ambrose

Rest in peace Officer Rios. You are in our hearts and prayers.

wife of a LEO

September 5, 2005