Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I can't believe 6 weeks have already passed since that cold, rainy and snowy Friday in December.

We stood shoulder to shoulder outside a church, unable to see anything other than rows and rows of gay, blue and black. Hundreds and hundreds of your brothers, but still able to hear a pin drop...

We hurt more with every shot fired during the salute...

We cried when we heard Taps...

We missed you even more upon seeing the riderless horse gallop through the cemetery...

I looked ahead of where I was parked and saw hundreds of police cars. I looked behind me and saw hundreds more.

R.I.P. Corp Joe

Pittsburgh P.D.

January 27, 2006

Officer Joe, Thank You for protecting my family and friends . Your pride, strength, loyalty and bravery will always be remembered. I drive past your sign on the Parkway everyday to and from work saying a prayer for you and your loved ones. May you rest in peace but I feeel God has plans for someone like you. There's no way he would let you rest to long, I am sure you are helping him up there. God Bless You and your family and all our police officers.

January 21, 2006

It has been over a month since the tragic loss of your life on this earth, Joe...and the reality is painfully played out in our hearts and minds daily. You changed a lot of lives, dear Joe...and you will NEVER be forgotten. "Thank you" for loving my daughter.

January 18, 2006

Poke,

Thanks for the memories Joe. I am blessed to have worked with you during my career and honored to call you my friend. I'll always remember the times that we worked together, but more importantly I'll cherish the fun we had outside of the job playing softball and hoops together. A piece of everyone was taken when you died;but it is not in vain. You are a hero Poke and your sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten. Take care brother, Rich

Lt. Richard Gardner
Pa. State Police

January 17, 2006

Corporal Pokorney, my heart bleeds for you and your family. How tragic after all these years of service.Having grown up in Sewickley, I wanted to become a Pa. State Trooper, but was drawn to Tucson where I've spent 26 with this agency. May God bless you and your family. Gone brother, but never forgotten!

Sergeant Chris Scholl
Tucson Arizona Police Dept.

January 13, 2006

Cpl. POKORNY was a great Supervisor, an exceptional Trooper, and a Good man.
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for his family.

Tpr. James MONKELIS
PA. STATE POLICE-Troop B Belle Vernon

January 13, 2006

To the family of Corporal Pokorny

I am sorry to hear of the death of a fellow officer. It is the ultimate price that Coproal Pokorny paid. But through the life he lived and ther service he gave to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania he will be remembered forever and his living shall not be in vain. May the Grace of God abide with you.


Peace and Blessings
Randall

Retired Trooper Randall Brit
Pennsylvania State Police

January 7, 2006

My heart goes out to your family, may they help each other through this difficult and trying time. Rest In Peace Brother, we will continue to interdict and convict as you did.

Corporal Troop N
Pennsylvania State Police

December 30, 2005

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralp Waldo Emerson

God Bless You My Brother

Trooper I
Texas DPS

December 29, 2005

May god give your family comfort in this time. Rest easy Cpl. Pokorny your place in Heaven is assured brother.

Deputy A. J. Baker
Chester County Sheriff's Office Chester SC

December 29, 2005

Joseph's brave and selfless act is an inpiration to us all.
God Bless and take care of out brother.
Deepest sympathy,
Constable Gary Garner and the rest of UK law enforcement.

Police Constable Gary Garner
South Yorkshire Police, England, UK

December 27, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Cpl. Jeremy Franklin
PSP

December 27, 2005

G-d Speed My Brother

uc
odps Inv Unit

December 26, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you
and your family.

TFC Cuddington
Georgia State Patrol

TFC Cuddington
Georgia State Patrol

December 26, 2005

Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"

The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I 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've never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the answer of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Author Unknown

December 26, 2005

Christmas in Blue

Christmas is a time filled with many joys,
a time for laughter, children, and toys;
A season to celebrate one baby's great birth,
to remember the selfless life Christ led here on earth.

While you are snuggled up tight by the fire,
sipping hot cocoa, and waiting to tire;
Remember that some are out in the cold,
patrolling the streets, watching over your fold.

These brave men and women leave their families -so blue,
that they might bring safety and comfort to you.
Their quiet presence light the dark and guard the day,
so you can enjoy Christmas in whatever way.

These holidays bring symbols great and small;
so many are known, but some, not at all.
For our family, Christmas will mean blue
to remind everyone what Dad gave to you.

A selfless man with a heart pure and true,
he gave all that he had for me and you.
Holding his badge, he laid down his life,
He left his three children, and beautiful wife.

So this Christmas, remember the officers out protecting you;
those who will leave their families, to dress in blue.
Feel blessed and honored- for some will not return
to see their families' blue porch lights burn.

Keep a symbol true in your heart; and put one out in sight;
Remember all our officers on Christmas Eve and turn on a blue light.

Chief Cecil F Gurr,
Roosevelt Police Department
E/O/W July 6, 2001

Officer Slade C. Gurr
Logan City Police Department, Logan Utah

December 26, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Joseph did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Joseph be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Corporal Pokorny's family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (The Davis County Sheriff's Office will always know how to reach me or write jocelyne1974 at canada dot com)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Joseph but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Joseph will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Joseph, even for a short time. I pray that Joseph, Dennis, and all the other fallen officers will continue to watch over us all as only they can.

Thank you Corporal Pokorny for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who's lives you touched brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

"Wherever a beautiful soul has been ... there is a trail of beautiful memories."

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 26, 2005

As I sit here this Christmas Eve, The children of Cpl. Joe Pokorny are in my thoughts. I know the holiday season will be rough, but remember that your father was a hero who loved you and is now an angel watching from above. R.I.P. brother

I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a soldier of the law....

trooper
PA STATE POLICE - TROOP E

December 24, 2005

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

December 24, 2005

May your family be blessed by God and may he watch over them always. Corporal Pokorny may you be in his safe hands now . You are missed by all in our department, and will be in our thoughts as we take over the watch....

Det J .M. Zimmerman
West Brownsville P.D.

December 23, 2005

R.I.P. BROTHER..................... TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, YOUR LOSE IS FELT ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE IN TEXAS. THX FOR A JOB WELL DONE CORPORAL POKORNY. AS SAD AS IT IS, YOUR WATCH IS OVER NOW. YOU ARE NOW PATROLLING THE GOLDEN STREETS OF HEAVEN'S BEAT. WE WILL TAKE OVER YOUR WATCH NOW AND CONTINUE ON UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS TRYING TIME. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

SAMUEL L. DIGBY #7918 POLICE OFFICER
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, DALLAS,TX

December 23, 2005

RIP Corporal. Prayers to you and for your family.

New York State Police

December 22, 2005

A PART OF AMERICA DIED
SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED. A PIECE OF OUR COUNTRY HE SWORE TO PROTECT WILL BE BURIED WITH HIM AT HIS SIDE. THE SUSPECT WHO KILLED HIM WILL STAND UP IN COURT, WITH COUNSEL DEMANDING HIS RIGHTS, WHILE A WIDOWED MOTHER MUST WORK FOR HER KIDS AND SPEND ALONE MANY LONG NIGHTS. THE BEAT THAT HE WORKED WAS A BATTLEFIELD, TOO, JUST AS IF HE'ED GONE OFF TO WAR. THOUGH THE FLAG OF OUR NATION WON'T FLY AT HALF MAST, TO HIS NAME THEY WILL ADD A GOLD STAR. YES, SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, IT HAPPENED IN YOUR TOWN OR MINE. WHILE WE SLEPT IN COMFORT BEHIND OUR LOCKED DOORS, A COP PUT HIS LIFE ON LINE. NOW HIS GHOST WALKS A BEAT ON DARK CITY STREET, AND HE STANDS AT EACH NEW ROOKIE'S SIDE, HE ANSWERED THE CALL AND GAVE US HIS ALL, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED.

Author Unknown

Submitted by
Montgomery County Police, Maryland

December 22, 2005

I feel great remorse for the family and dept. I am positive the he was a great cop and man. You are unappreciated by most of PA. His loved ones shoud be proud.Law Enforcement stil has our support. I am one of the young associates of the East Point Ga Police dept.Your future Law Enforcer.Former Philadelphia resident.

PFC Clayton H. Robinson
Fulton County Ga. JROTC

December 22, 2005

Cpl.Pokorny, You will never be forgotten. As I drive the Highway at night I will miss that friendly smile and "OK" sign.

Patrol Officer Lane Zabelsky
Allegheny County Police

December 22, 2005