Swansea Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Saturday, November 5, 2005
Reflections for Lieutenant Robert Manuel Cabral
Lt. Cabral was a true "difference maker" who will never be forgotten. His impact upon those lucky enough to have known him is everlasting. His senseless death is a profound loss. My deepest sympathies and condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Lt. Cabral.
Bill Chamberlain
November 7, 2005
To the Family of "Officer Bob" Cabral, myself and my brother and sister officers wish you our condolences for your loss. As a D.A.R.E. Officer he affected more lives than even he could imagine. Even in the senselessness of his death he has delivered yet another D.A.R.E. lesson. We pray for you and your community. Bob, Your tour is done your deeds not forgotten, rest easy now, we will take it from here.
Mstplm George Durham, SRO
Milford NH PD
Mstptl George Durham
Milford NH Police Dept.
November 7, 2005
It is not often I get news about Swansea up in Bow New Hampshire. I was shocked to hear about this and Bobby really touched the lives of many people including myself. He really got involved with all of us while growing up and did everything possible to lead us on a straight path. There was not too many officers that new us by name but he did and that made a difference. "David Parente Class of 1987"
Citizen David Parente
November 7, 2005
Officer Bob was my husband's assistant baseball coach and my son's coach for the past several years. Officer Bob made it his business to get to know all the kids in town, as a parent you knew he was out there helping to keep an eye on your children. It is going to take a lot of people to fill in for what Officer Bob did for this town and its children. A perfect way to honor his memory would be the next time your little league, Pop Warner or any youth group is looking for help, VOLUNTEER and do it in his memory. Officer Bob has shown us that you really can make a difference by caring.
To his sons. Thank you for sharing your Dad with all the kids in town. You have the prayers and love of a whole town to help you through this.
Lastly, next spring will be very difficult without Officer Bob in the dugout. Officer Bob we loved you, even if you were a Yankees fan.
The Cantin Family
Pat Cantin
November 7, 2005
The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lieutenant Robert Cabral, and the Swansea 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. Lieutenant Cabral, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.
Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association
November 7, 2005
Rest in Peace...
Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY
November 7, 2005
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!!!!!
SGT. DANIEL ABRAHAMSON
OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
November 7, 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
November 7, 2005
MY THOUGHTS AND SORROW ARE WITH YOU AND FAMILY GOD BLESS YOU ALL R.I.P.
KENNETH N BONOLLO
FORMER CUMBERLAND R.I. POL. RES
November 7, 2005
Lt. Cabral..you - your family - friends & co-workers will be in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!
karen
student..mi
November 7, 2005
God bless the family, friends and co-workers of Lt. Cabral.
mjw643
November 7, 2005
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this time of pain. May God be with you and your family, and know that you are in our prayers. You are certainly a hero and will never be forgotten.
PS Paul Rohner
Swiss Trainpolice, Sekt. Bern (Suisse)
November 7, 2005
You'll never be forgotten. RIP.
Patrol Officers
Lower Sioux Tribal Police Department
November 7, 2005
Officer Bob,
you touched so many lifes in your time with us, which was so tragically cut short. you were a hero to so many. My prays are with your family and brother officers. R.I.P Sir, you will be missed greatly and never forgotten
Stephen Rodrigues
November 6, 2005
My condolences and prayes go to the family and friends of LT Cabral. I pray that God will give you the strength and grace that you need in this time of terrible tragedy. LT, your service is appreciated. You continue to be an inspiration.
Chaplain Transue
Chesapeake and Norfolk, VA PD
November 6, 2005
My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Lt. Robert Cabral. You're in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. I'd like to express my gratitude to all the brave men & women in law enforcement who continue to do their jobs protecting those in their communities everyday. May God watch over each & everyone of you and keep you safe.
Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04
November 6, 2005
To Lt. Cabrals family you have our deepest sympathy for your ultimate sacrifice. Lt. Thank you for the job you have done. Rest in peace will will take over the watch.
Det. Robert Ponzetti
Absecon Police, NJ
November 6, 2005
god speed brother, heroes live forever, we'll take it from here
Trooper
Colorado State Patrol
November 6, 2005
To the Family of Lieutenant Robert Cabral,I would like to express to you my deepest condolences. May God Bless your family and let Robert Rest In Peace. God Bless.
Jason
November 6, 2005
You have been a wonderful influence on the lives of so many people in this community, and I know I have learned so much from you through the years. You voulenteered so much of your time to the school and the community, and maybe you never knew how appreciated you really were; how appreciated you still are. I know for a fact your funeral and wake will be packed with the many people's lives you changed- and I know I will be there..We love & miss you
Stephanie Pascarella
November 6, 2005
God Bless you and your family. You are all in my prayers. Your service and dedication to your family and career is beyond words. Thank you for your service. I pray God's comfort will find your family and friends.
Officer J. W. #302
RPD Illinois
November 6, 2005
Rest in Peace Lt. Cabral And thank you for the service you did as a D.A.R.E. Officer to your community. Its because of Men and women like you we keep the courage to continue on every day and every patrol. Thank you from the men and women of the Gilmanton N.H. Police Department.
Ofc. Aaron P. Sparks (D.A.R.E. Officer)
Gilmanton N.H. Police Department
November 6, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Cabral, his family, fellow officers and friends. Rest in peace, Sir.
AZ Narc
November 6, 2005
Most people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference, Bobby Cabral didn't have that problem. Bobby, you'll be missed.
Semper Fi,
JNS
November 6, 2005
MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY. FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF THIS HERO DURING THIS SAD TIME IN THIER LIVES. MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
November 6, 2005
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