Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP Deputy Bassett.

Thank you for your sacrafice.

Officers and Members
Somerville, MA. Aux. Police Department

October 8, 2005

Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.

Be at peace Brother.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Bassett.

Ofc. Scott Bachman
Baltimore County (MD) PD

October 7, 2005

Rest in peace my brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department are in my thoughts and prayers.

Officer D. Johns
GSU Police Department

October 7, 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.

Deputy Bassett, thank you for all you have given! God bless you and your family, you will NEVER be forgotten!!

Officer Justin W Yohe
Sweetser Police Department, Sweetser Indiana

October 7, 2005

My most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and brother officers of Deputy Bassett. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Adam Ferguson
West Lafayette Police Department

October 7, 2005

The men and Women of the Springfield Park District Police Department wish to send their deepest condolonces to the family of Deputy Bassett and his fellow co- workers. May he rest in peace

Springfield Park District Police Department

October 7, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO, DEPUTY BASSETT GO PATROL THOSE STREETS OF GOLD. WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE..MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
R.I.P.BROTHER.

Sergeant William Riley
Aragon GA Police Dept,

October 7, 2005

When the Lord was creating Peace Officers, he was in to his sixth day of overtime then 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 his uniform. He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene at night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day. He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half eaten
meals. And he has 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 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 the bulge in a pocket before he asks "May I see what's in there sir? (when he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety, and another pair of eyes here in front
that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say "You'll be all right ma'am" when he knows it isn't so.

"Lord", the angel said, touching his sleeve, "Rest and work on this tomorrow." "I can't", said the Lord, "I already have a model that can take a 250-pound drunk in to a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a 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 the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop...and still it keeps its sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He 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 newspaper 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 in to 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,
for justice." "You're a genius" replied the angel. The Lord looked somber.
"I didn't put it there," he said.


**Today, our tears are for you**

A Civilian
Indiana State Police

October 7, 2005

My heart goes out to Officer Bassett's wife and children, and also to all his co-workers.
Rest in peace brother

Assitant Chief Gary Layer
Walkerton Police Dept.

October 7, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy Shad Bassett and his fellow officers of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Bassett was tragically killed. Our family grieves with you and for you. We are so saddened to hear of this young officer losing his life, and leaving behind a loving wife and three children.

May you find comfort in the caring and support of your law enforcement community, and other police survivors.


This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Shad gave to his community and the citizens of Indiana, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 7, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD , eow 4/24/05

October 7, 2005

rest in peace brother...may god watch over you and your family...

Ptl. Casey Long
Ocean Twp., NJ (Ocean Co.)

October 7, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

October 7, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and Department. Rest in peace...

Officer

October 7, 2005

To the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Bassett you have my deepest sympathies and condolences you have a very long road ahead of you. Just know we are all thinking of you and praying for you.

Robert Thornton @ Elaine Foster-Thornton
Friend and Daughter of Officer Melissa M. Foster EOW 12/04/04

Robert Thornton

October 7, 2005

Yet another fine Deputy taken way to soon in his career. My heart and prayers are with the wife, children, family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Bassett. May his children know that their dad will not be forgotten and that he is a true HERO. God bless you all.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

October 7, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,department, and friends of Deputy Bassett. You will be missed, but never forgotten brother!

Patrol Division
Logansport Police Dept (IN)

October 7, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Shad, you are a ture hero and will never be forgotten for your service.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EWO 7/15/73

October 7, 2005

"Remembering Me"

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

This is who I am,
and this is all I know.
I have to choose to live,
and give all that I can give.
~
Stand for my dream if I can,
cuz’ of my faith in who I am.
I gotta take the road ahead,
which controls ~ my heart or head.
~
Not a chosen roll for me to play,
seems the storm won’t end.
Cross my badge I'll find my way,
even with my destiny ridin’ in the wind.
~
Every ounce of me,
has gotta’ see it through.
I have a dream,
a dream that must come true.
~
A vision and a fire inside,
filled with my love for you.
Feelin’s I never could hide,
whatever happens ~ you know I do.
~
Makin’ my journey through eternity,
promising we won't say good-bye.
Gotta’ make em’ all remember me,
remembering ~ will give me immortality.
~ m2 ~

God bless you Deputy Bassett. May you rest in peace. May God give your family the strenght and courage to get through this tragic time.

Wife and mother in law of LEO's

October 7, 2005

Dearest Family of Deputy Shad Bassett,
I offer my deepest sympathy for this long, hard, journey you have just begun. Out precious son died just over a year ago and our life will never be the same. We honor your sacrifice and your love of duty and service.
There are many of us praying for you in this heartbreaking time.

Love,
Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse
e.o.w.9/16/04

October 7, 2005

"No greater a man than he who will lay down his life for another." God Bless your family and fellow officers in Pulaski County during this difficult time.

Deputy Andrew S. Hynek
La Porte County, IN Sheriff's Office

October 7, 2005

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY AND TODAY IS A GIFT.

DEPUTY BASSET, YOU REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU GAVE IT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

TO THOSE CLOSE TO THIS HERO, PLEASE TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACROSS THIS LAND, GRIEVE WITH YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

October 7, 2005

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Deputy Shad Bassett as well as to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department. Rest in peace Deputy Bassett, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

October 7, 2005

Your tour of duty has ended by having given the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you for your service to your department and community.
You will not be forgotten by those whose lives you touched.
Thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and
your fellow officers as they mourn your untimely loss.

† Rest In Peace, Deputy Bassett, May God Bless You †

Jeffrey Williams
Highland, Indiana

October 7, 2005

God Bless you Deputy Bassett. My deepest condolences to Deputy Bassett's family, and the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department.

California Peace Officer

October 7, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Deputy Bassett deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Deputy Bassett is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Tom Doyle
Cary Police Department, NC

October 7, 2005