Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Spaulding will be missed dearly! Tonight was my first candlelight vigil as a Police Wife and it was beautiful yet heartbreaking. I have so much sympathy for his dear wife and family. I can only imagine how I would feel if it were my husband we were all remembering.
To Rick's family: Please know that he is well-remembered. My husband has had nothing but wonderful things to say about Rick. He has told me many storied since Wednesday of what a great man and officer Rick was.
Here is a beautiful poem I recently came across on the web:
FINAL CALL

An Angel In The Sky Must Leave His Place Of Rest,
Gently Tucking His Wings Beneath His Armored Vest.
For Duty Has Called, There Is Much Work To Do
Little Did He Know, This One Is Dressed In Blue.
Arriving On The Scene, He Knows Just What To Say,
"Follow Me, Fallen Brother, I'll Show You The Way."
"Your Duty Has Ended, Your Work Is Now Through."
"Come Hang Your Hat Beside Mine. I'm A Cop, Too."

C. Jackson
Wife of Portsmouth Police Officer

November 26, 2005

It is difficult to express how empty line up is without your presence. I still expect to see you sitting across from me leaning on the table, resting on your forearms waiting for the right moment to crack a joke at my expense. I have served with many over the last thirteen years, but few as dedicated and passionate as you. I will miss you and the camaraderie you brought to our Third Platoon family. 10-8 to secure, Rick.

Sgt. S.T. Goldman, Third Platoon
Portsmouth Police Department

November 26, 2005

Rick, your time on the auxiliary showed you that you had a love for law enforcement that you were meant to do. We are all honored and proud to have known you and worked with you. God bless you Brother and may you rest in peace.

Capt (Aux) Ron Hyman
Portsmouth Police Department

November 26, 2005

You will never be forgotten by your brothers in BLUE!! R I P your watch is over we will take it from here. Your brothers in Michigan!!!

Ofc. J. Dixon
Brownstown Police Dept., MI

November 26, 2005

"Our brother has been taken and gently laid to rest;

Fate seems so cruel at times to only take the best.

While those who care for no one are left to walk life's street;

Bringing less joy than sorrow to those whose path they meet.

Our brother lives forever if only in our minds;

He'll never be forgotten nor ever left behind.

He'll stand before us always as if to guide our way;

Through all our tasks and duties awaiting us each day.

Our brother has been taken and though we wonder why;

We'll still perform our duties as days then weeks go by.

We'll travel where fate leads, through days of dark or fair;

Until we stand for Roll Call beside our brother there..."

Rick will be missed and our deepest prayers go out to his family...

Steven Lucas
Judge Advocate General Corps

November 25, 2005

To the family of Rick Spaulding, I am Don Butlers brother Dave. I am a Deputy Sheriff in Reno NV. Because Rick is a Police Officer and a friend of Don's, he was a friend of mine too. I can only hope it helps you all to know the prayers and thoughts of many people you know and dont know are with you. Your Friend, Dave Butler

Deputy Dave butler
Washoe County Sheriff's Office

November 25, 2005

When I got out of field training, I was assigned to midnights. That shift is a pretty tight knit group and being the new guy isn't easy. Rick sat with me in the Wilson HS parking lot and offered encouragement and always was willing to listen. In the short time I was assigned to that shift, he became a great friend. He taught me what it means to be there for other officers. Our department suffered a great loss on Wednesday, but we must remember Rick is in a better place and will forever be with us. He will continue to back us up from above. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as do the thoughts and prayers of his other family, the PPD.

Officer Keough
Portsmouth Police

November 25, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Patrolman Spaulding and to all the personnel of the Portsmouth Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

November 25, 2005

While it is no consolation for your loss, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Patrolman Spaulding.

While no member of our agency had the privilege to have known him personally, we are certain that he has found a place in heaven through his selfless service to those he swore to protect.

Rest in peace officer; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Medicine Lodge Police Department
Medicine Lodge, KS

November 25, 2005

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do no stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

PIO Manager Ann Hope
Portsmouth Police Department

November 25, 2005

The loss of our bother leaves sadness in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Spualding, his family and loved ones in this time of tragic loss. Rest in peace brother we will carry on, our hearts saddened by your passing and our resolve strenghted by your memory.

RDR
Portsmouth PD

November 25, 2005

I have know and worked with Rick on the midnight shift for the past five years and there is not any better friend/fellow officer to work with. I knew I could always count on Rick to be there in any circumstance, no matter what call or assigned beat it was in. I knew the first one that would be there was Rick, "saying let get'em boys". I also knew that if I ever needed anything on or off duty and no matter the time of day, I could call him and he would be there, Period.... I know that on wednesday morning I/we lost a best friend and a GREAT person from our lives and he will be missed dearly!!!!! "WE'LL MISS YOU, Rick"

Officer Brad Spaven (DOG)
Portsmouth Police Dept

November 25, 2005

My wife and I would like to send our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Rick Spaulding. Thank you for your years of service and dedication. We all share in the loss of losing one of our own. May God Bless

Officer Timothy T. Royster
Huntsville Police Department, AL.

November 25, 2005

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

November 25, 2005

Although I never had the privelege to meet you, you will always be remembered! Rest in Peace, brother!

Officer R. Kinney
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Police

November 25, 2005

Patrolman Spaulding..you - your family -friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..you are gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

girlfriend of a leo
michigan

November 25, 2005

We could always count on you on those slow nights to come in the radio room and chat a while or bring coffee and the Krispy Kreams. You were always happy about life and enjoyed sharing your experiences and loving family stories with us. Rick you will be missed greatly but in our hearts forever.

Dispatch Supervisor Marilyn Williams
Portsmouth Police Department

November 25, 2005

Thanksgiving will never be the same for the Spaulding family. Though it may seem like they won't be able to be thankful anymore, they will always be able to be thankful for the time they had with Rick. Though his body has passed away, his spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. It's clear from some of the posts that he WILL live on.

God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

November 24, 2005

God bless you Officer Spaulding, thank you for your service. May you rest in peace.

Carin E. Sollman
wife of Easton Police Officer Jesse E. Sollman EOW 3/25/05

November 24, 2005

I was saddened to learn of the death of Officer Spaulding. My condolensces are sent to the family as well as the Portsmouth Virginia Police Department. I urge the family to always remember this officer's bravery and courage. Officer Spaulding your shift is over now, we will take it from here. Rest in peace, brother...

Deputy James E. Bradford Jr
Bradley County Sheriff Department

November 24, 2005

I don't think I have ever known an officer who better understood the brotherhood of police work. As you will hear from every officer who ever worked with him, Rick was always there to back up his fellow officers. His passion for the job was evident as an Auxiliary Officer when he worked more for free than many who were paid. I spent a year on midnights with Rick as a Sergeant and I have a lot of good memories. I'll always remember meeting Rick in the wee hours outside Lowes, when he convinced me to climb into a Monster Truck they had on display so he could take my picture behind the wheel. Rest in Peace my Brother,...we will finish your shift.

Sgt. Mike Hayes
Portsmouth Police Department

November 24, 2005

Officer Spaulding, as a neighboring Dept, we all feel the loss of a Brother. May you now Rest In Peace! My thoughts are with your family and your co-workers. May God bless them all and continue to keep them safe as they deal with their loss. We now have the watch, Brother. THANK YOU!

IN VALOR-THERE IS HOPE!

MPO Rich Cheatham
Va Beach Police dept

November 24, 2005

Police Officers are part of a brotherhood that others will never know!

Rest in Peace, Officer Spaulding, we've got it from here!

Ofc. Culver, RJ #138
Holly Hill Police Department
Volusia county, FL

Ofc. Culver, RJ #138
Holly Hill Police Department

November 24, 2005

To the family, friends and co-workers of the PPD

On behalf of the NPD EOC we send our condolences to you all. We were just recently in your shoes and know how difficult this is. May God bless you all and know we are here for each of you.
R.I.P. PO Spaulding

Dispatcher Cain
NPD

November 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Patrolman Shaun McCready
Altoona (PA) Police Department

November 24, 2005