Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Vogel; may she rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

October 5, 2005

Decatur's loss is, by all accounts, Heaven's gain. No doubt you'll be missed by family and friends, but your memory will live on as you are with your family forever in spirit.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

October 5, 2005

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

Cpl Julia Mueller
Swiss Army, Medical Service

October 5, 2005

Your life was full of pride. Watch over all of us and guide over us to the end of our shifts each day. Rest in peace sister.

Lt Chuck Evans
Lawrenceburg PD Ind

October 5, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Decatur Police Department and the family of Officer Robin Vogel. May you rest in peace and walk a beat on heavens street. God speed and you will not be forgotten.

Illinois State Police

Illinois State Police

October 5, 2005

Your unselfish service and devotion to Decatur Police Department will not be forgotten, may the peace of God be with you.

Deputy US Marshal Frank E. Kruchten
United States Marshals Service

October 5, 2005

Rest in peace my brave sister you will not be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff Ohio

October 5, 2005

Our hearts go out to the family of Officer Vogel. You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers and guide you all through this most difficult of times. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

October 5, 2005

May you rest in peace Mam and may God bless you and your family during this difficult time.

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

October 5, 2005

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

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

October 5, 2005

MAY THE LORD COMFORT ALL WHO KNEW ROBIN IN THIS TIME OF NEED. ROBIN, YOUR BROTHER AND SISTERS WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!

DET. GUERRERO
SANGAMON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

October 5, 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

October 5, 2005

Today we did not just lose an Officer, we lost a FRIEND. Robin you were so dear to our hearts. You will be missed, but never forgotten. We will miss your smile, laughter and friendship. Nothing could prepare us for this, you will live in our hearts forever and your spirit shall endure. Good-bye 306, we love you.

Master Patrol Officer Steven K. Carroll
Decatur Police Department

October 5, 2005

God speed Officer Vogel.

Patrol Officer
Bloomington Police

October 5, 2005

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE ***

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

October 5, 2005

To Officer Robin Vogels son, parent, and sisters...God Bless and keep you. One day the heavy metal band around you heart will leave...breathing will be easier....living will continue....and your love one will always be remembered in your thoughts. Take care and God Be with You.

Mary...Mother-in-law of Capt. Byron Carpenter, Belmont Police Dept. Belmont, NC EOW 4-16-05

October 5, 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 her friends and family. Rest now sister, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

October 5, 2005

Rest in Peace Robin you will me sorely missed by all you touched!

Bill McGonigle
Bloomington Police Dept.

October 5, 2005

Robin, I've been with you since the academy and have grown to know you over the past seven years. We've worked 3rd's together ever since we started out and have developed countless memories. No matter what was happening at work you knew how to always keep a smile on your face and make me laugh. I'll miss you and will never forget the times spent with you.

Your Friend
Decatur Police Department

October 4, 2005

Robin was a friend of mine. When I was a rookie with the DPD, she made me feel welcome. She broke that unspoken rule that no one talks to the new guys. She gave me a great deal of insight regarding the department and the city. That meant a lot to me as an out-of-towner.
Robin was smart and funny, and as brave as anyone I’ve known. I will miss her.

Tim LaFredo
Buffalo, New York

October 4, 2005

I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME
MY NAME FOR ALL ETERNITY
RECORDED HERE AT THIS HALLOWED PLACE
ALAS MY NAME, NO MORE MY FACE
"IN THE LINE OF DUTY" I HEAR THEM SAY
MY FAMILY NOW HAS THE PRICE TO PAY
MY FOLDED FLAG STAINED WITH THEIR TEARS
WE ONLY HAD THOSE FEW SHORT YEARS
THE BADGE NO LONGER ON MY CHEST
I SLEEP NOW IN ETERNAL REST
MY SWORD I PASS TO THOSE BEHIND
AND PRAY THEY KEEP THIS IN MIND
I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME
AND ON MY HEAVY HEART AND BENDED KNEE
I ASK FOR ALL THOSE HERE FROM THE PAST
DEAR GOD, LET MY NAME BE THE LAST!


Godspeed, Officer Vogel, and Thank you

Lisa
Georgia Civilian

October 4, 2005

di te incolumem custodiant

October 4, 2005

Though I did not know Officer Vogel personally, I can tell by the reflections left by her numerous friends and admirers that she was a special person. I hope that her loved ones will get some measure of strength from the prayers and love displayed in these reflections, by those that knew Officer Vogel as well as the many who did not know her. Her memory, her dedication and her sacrifice shall never be forgotten.

Deputy
Wake County Sheriff's Office, NC

October 4, 2005

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangle, patron Saint of Police Officers......

Saint Michael The Archangle,

Defend us in battle

Be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the devil,

May God rebuke him we humbly pray;

And so thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

By the power of God, thrust into hell

satan and all evil spirits

Who wander through the world

For the ruin of souls, Amen

Robin was a cop's cop. She knew HONOR, LOYALTY and RESPECT. She would not be denied.

Rest in peace sister, your a HERO and you and your deeds will never be forgotten....

friend
Decatur Police Department

October 4, 2005

Robin,
Words can't describe how much you will be missed by me, your family, and your fellow officers. May you rest in peace and keep watch over us, we still need you.

Robin was a great cop and an even greater friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and co-workers. She sat next to me in our academy class and we developed a great friendship over the years following. I will miss her dearly, as others will to.

Jason Simmons
McLean County Sheriff's Police

October 4, 2005