Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As I came into work yesterday I heard once again the unthinkable news that we had once again lost another officer. I was so shocked to know "again." Although I didnt know you Officer Spaulding, I'm sure you were a wonderful man and Police Officer. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, brothers, sisters, and all those in your "2nd" family. I believe you will join the others in heaven to help look over the rest of us. The streets is ours now and we have the watch. Rest in peace sir, rest.

Dispatcher Sherry Talbert
Chesapeake Police Department

November 24, 2005

R.I.P. Officer Spaulding......your commitment to the community is a tribute to your character may the lord grant peace to your family.

Deputy
Chesapeake Sheriffs Aux. Corp.

November 24, 2005

I worked with Rick for 3 years on midnights. He was the closest thing to a partner that i could have had. 121 131 141 reguardless whenever I went to a call he went to a call. Rick was a dedicated and loyal officer. no matter what the situation he always, always had your back. Even though I had not worked with him on a regular basis for a while, I looked forward to hearing him on the radio and responding to assist me. He was a great man and he will forever be missed.

Det. Scott Agee
Portsmouth Police Dept

November 24, 2005

Today is Thanksgiving and although our hearts are with the Spaulding family for their sudden loss, I am giving thanks for having known and worked with the totally committed and dedicated officer that Rick was.
Rick you will not be forgotten and it is sad to think that next years Portsmouth Police Memorial Ceremony will have another Wreath and Rose added to the collection of our fallen officers within our department.
I am sure you ARE STILL up there looking over us and continuing to back us up on the street.
God Bless you and your family, from myself and the Portsmouth Police Family.

Sgt. Rick Humphries
Portsmouth Police Dept.

November 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother and may God bless and protect the family you left behind.

Sergeant Clinton Schott
Chesterfield County Police Department

November 24, 2005

Rest in peace, my brother. You will be missed by many. God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow.

DE
St. Louis City Police

November 24, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with You and your family, Brother. Rest easy, we have the watch from here.

PO2 ACM
Norfolk P.D.

November 24, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF OFFICER SPAULDING. MY BROTHER, YOU ARE A HERO. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 24, 2005

Hi Ricker....where to begin!! I only got the pleasure of working midnights with you for 6 months, but you taught me a lot and in that 6 months of being the only female officer to work southside midnights, you guys not only became my family away from home, but you became "my gentlemen". You didn't just teach me about being a police officer, but you taught me lessons in life and how to be always be me. Rick, you helped build my confidence as an officer and build my confidence as a person. I will miss being able to call you when the night starts to drag on around 3 am, the conversation we would have about family, friends, jobs, and life in general. I will miss your concern when I get sick, having you call me to check on me, knowing my family is 1300 miles away. But Ricker, you and 538 don't have to come to me anymore, cause you will forever be with me. Thank you for having been a great mentor, a great fellow officer, and most of all, a great friend. You impacted my life more than you will ever know and I will always be grateful for that. You will always be one of "my gentlemen".
To the family: Thank you for your caring, kindness, and your unselfish nature and allowing us to share in Rick's life. You supported Rick in his job and when he made the ultimate sacrifice, you pay the price. But always remember you are not alone. Thank you once again for giving Rick to us. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ofc. Jane Foster
Portsmouth PD

November 24, 2005

May God bless you and your family for you Officer Spaulding have passed on to Heaven to watch over others on there watch.

Portsmouth Police Dept...

November 24, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Portsmouth Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Patrolman Spaulding deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Patrolman Spaulding 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

November 24, 2005

Rest in peace, we will meet with you on the other side someday. Godspeed to your family, friends and fellow officer's.

Patrolman
Jersey Village Police Tx.

November 24, 2005

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"


We have the watch now. Rest my friend!

Department of Veterans Affairs Police

November 24, 2005

Rick,
There is no greater testament that shows a love for community service than that of a Police Officer who would do the job for free! You, sir, most assuredly loved what you did for people, both on and off the job, and the citizens of Portsmouth were blessed to have had you on the job.

I know that you are now with the One who answers all prayers, so I pray that He will be with the family and friends that you left behind. Losing a loved one is the most difficult times we all face in our lives. Losing a loved one so close to the holiday season makes it even more difficult. My prayer is that God will help all who knew and loved you to dwell not in the sorrow of their loss, but in the joy of having known you in their lives.

Thanks for all of your committment and dedication, brother. Rest in peace... we have the watch!

Officer James Goben
Suffolk (VA) Police Dept

November 24, 2005

Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.

Be at peace Brother.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Spaulding.

Ofc. Scott Bachman
Baltimore County (MD) PD

November 24, 2005

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

November 24, 2005

May Rick Spaulding rest in the peace that he died preserving. All who knew him have paid him the highest compliment that one cop can pay to another - "He was a good, dependable back-up."

While your heart has stopped here on earth, Rick, go to your heavenly beat knowing that a part of it continues to beat in all street cops' chests everywhere.

Andy Black, Retired
Police Emerald Society of Tidewater

November 24, 2005

the loss of yet another member of the "family", leaves us with an empty void. The rest take one more step to the right to close ranks. My sympathies to Officer Spaldings family, friends and colleagues.

Rick Engstrom

Rick Engstrom (retired Constable)
Winnipeg Police Service

November 24, 2005

It is with great sadness that we again have to cover her eye's with the black band. My deepest sympathy goes to the Spaulding family from myself and all the officers at the William & Mary Campus Police. Thank you for your dedication and ultimate sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.

Ofc. J. Evans
William & Mary Campus Police Dept.

November 24, 2005

All of our Officers send their deepest sympathy to your family and friends. Go with God brother. You will be missed and never forgotten!

Patrol Officers
Pekin Police Department, IL

November 24, 2005

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Patrolman Richard Spaulding as well as to the Portsmouth Police Department. Rest in peace Patrolman Spaulding, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

November 24, 2005

LORD, PLEASE BE WITH THIS FAMILY, CO-WORKERS TODAY. THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE AND THEY NEED TO FEEL YOUR COMFORTING ARMS.
GIVE THEM STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT DAYS AND YEARS. THEIR HEARTS WILL ALWAYS HAVE A VOID THAT CAN NOT BE FILLED BUT ONLY WITH YOUR LOVE AND STRENGTH.
WE ASK WHY, BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PROMISED TO ALWAYS BE WITH US NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WHETHER WE ARE HERE ON THIS EARTH OR WHETHER WE SLEEP IN DEATH WAITING FOR YOUR COMING TO TAKE US HOME WITH YOU.
HOLD THEM IN YOUR STRONG ARMS AND GIVE THEM THE COMFORT THEY NEED.
IN JESUS MOST PRECIOUS NAME I ASK. AMEN.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN. DEP. SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

November 24, 2005

It was truly an honor working with you Rick. You and your family will always be in my heart and prayers. May you bring as much joy to heavens dept as you brought to ours. You will be missed.

R. J. Overstreet
Former Portsmouth Police Officer

November 24, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus POlice Department, our deepest sympathy's to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Richard Spaulding. Rest in Peace Brother, we now have the Watch.

PBA
Town Of Camillus Police Department, NY

November 24, 2005

"They are not hero's because they died, they are hero's because of how they lived."

Rest in peace brother. May God be with you.

Detective Chris Hodges
Miami-Dade Police Department

November 24, 2005