Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We all feel a lot of pain with your passing. Rest easy brother. Thank you for your service. It is not how Ethan died that made him a hero. It is how he lived...

ohio patrolman, retired

January 10, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Collins' wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. May God be with you.

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

January 10, 2006

Ethan you will be sadly missed by all who knew you. May you rest in peace and know that your fellow Brothers and their families will be there for yours.Thank you for your service just doesn't seem to be enough. Unit 268 will be with us forever!

Beth Skeen
wife of fcso Deputy

January 10, 2006

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Family, Friends, and Co-Workers of "Brother" Deputy Sheriff Ethan Collins U-268 of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office. "Rest In Peace My Friend"

Sergeant Alan Adair
Guernsey County Sheriff's Office

January 10, 2006

Goodbye My Friend


Today is a very cold and dreary day as I pass the Honor Guard standing straight and stoic, but I know deep inside they still feel the pain of losing one of their own.

I entered the church for your eulogy, but my heart is so heavy and filled with pain as I sit in the pew to say my final goodbye to a man who I feel very privileged to have known.

I tried to be strong and not show my tears, but I soon found my heart crying for your little girl weeping for her daddy. My heart started racing as I fought back the tears, but the knife in my heart made me give way to the tears.

The service is over, I walk out the door and as we stand at attention the Bag Pipers begin to play. The Flag-draped casket is put in the Hearse as we prepare for the procession to your final resting place.

The three shots are fired and pierce through the air, and the Bag Pipers begin to play Amazing Grace. My heart is aching and I begin to cry for the loss of a friend I was privileged to know.

My heart aches for your family and my eyes fill with tears as I think of that knock your wife had to hear. My thoughts and prayers are with them as they pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and remember the love you brought to their lives.

You went home today doing what you loved to do, you paid the ultimate price trying to help protect a brother. Your shift here is over and it’s time to go home and work for the Lord.

You will forever be remembered in my heart.

Lori Nelson, Clerk of Court
Village of Canal Winchester

Lori Nelson, Clerk of Court
Village of Canal Winchester

January 10, 2006

Rest in peace Deputy Collins. To the family of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office, we share in your sorrow.

Hardin County Sheriff's Office

January 10, 2006

Thank you for your service, Ethan. May God comfort your family, friends and fellow officers during this difficult time. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

BPD12

January 10, 2006

Deputy Collins, Family, Friends, Fellow Officers,

I sit here tonight reflecting on this day that a fellow officer was laid to rest, a Brother whom I never realized was a Brother until after I heard the tragic news that you made the ultimate sacrifce serving your community, to aid a Brother in need. It was only after I learned, when my mother called on the phone, and asked If I realized whom you were. It was only then I remembered you, before you took the honor to serve and protect as an officer that you worked with my mother before you became a Deputy. It then touched me not only as a person but as a Brother, that I had a connection to you that I never knew, only knowing that I meet you on a couple of occasions. No one that is not an officer will ever realize what it means to lose a Brother wether you knew them or not. I am truly sadned by the loss of you Brother, and my heart goes out to your faimly, freinds, and fellow officers.
After attending services today, I am truly proud of the outpouring that everybody contributed from fellow Brothers, to the community that stopped on this day to pay tribute to the man that most of them never knew. My heart is with you, and your family, You Will NEVER be forgotten.........Brother!

Sgt. Michael Burba 363
Glouster Police Department

January 9, 2006

Ethan and his families. I cannot even begin to describe how I felt today saying Good Bye. I did not know you or your family. I did however know your voice and unit #268. I caught the end of the call that day you left us, but did not realize until later when watching the news it was you. YOU WILL BE MISSED ( THANK YOU ).
It truly is hard for some to understand what we go through everyday when our loved ones are out there protecting and serving us all. But this is what they chose to do ( Protect & Serve )At times it is hard to stand behind them but stand behind them WE WILL. ( Thank You All )

I cannot express today how I felt at the end of the service at the cemetary when they did the radio call. It gave me chills but at the same time, it gave me comfort.

My thoughts & prayers to you Ethan and all your familes. But especially his wife and children.

Wife of a ( Franklin County Deputy )
Mother of a ( Fairfield County Deputy )

January 9, 2006

Ethan and his families. I cannot even begin to describe how I felt today saying Good Bye. I did not know you or your family. I did however know your voice and unit #268. I caught the end of the call that day you left us, but did not realize until later when watching the news it was you. YOU WILL BE MISSED ( THANK YOU ).
It truly is hard for some to understand what we go through everyday when our loved ones are out there protecting and serving us all. But this is what they chose to do ( Protect & Serve )At times it is hard to stand behind them but stand behind them WE WILL. ( Thank You All )

I cannot express today how I felt at the end of the service at the cemetary when they did the radio call. It gave me chills but at the same time, it gave me comfort.

My thoughts & prayers to you Ethan and all your familes. But especially his wife and children.

Wife of a ( Franklin County Deputy )
Mother of a ( Fairfield County Deputy )

January 9, 2006

Deputy Collins, you've done your duty here on earth, we look to you now. Continue on above us, in peace. You will not be forgotten.

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his 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 who carry badges,
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 awful 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 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 never expected or had too much,
But, if you don't...I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell."

~Katherine A. Thompson, former Kansas State Trooper Dispatcher.

E. Blair, Law Enforcement Ranger
National Park Service, St. Louis, MO

January 9, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sgt.S.P.Lapsley
Clayton Police Dept. N.C.

January 9, 2006

Deputy Ethan you will be missed by a nation of Americans who may or may not have known you. Now they will know of the things you have done and the great man that you were to your family,comunity and your nation. As I sat in the church I wept with all those around me we will be praying for comfort for your family and friends. You Sir will never be forgotten.Go and be a angel, for your family,friends and fellow Deputies, R.I.P

Dep.Kevin & Jana Romine
Fairfield County Sheriffs Office.

wife of deputy
F.C.S.O

January 9, 2006

The Collins family is in our prayers.

Thank you Deputy Collins for your service.

Chief Deputy Jeff Lawless
Lawrence County Sheriff's Office

January 9, 2006

Craig and I would like to express how deeply saddened we are by your loss. Ethan paid the ultimate price while serving his community and he will never be forgotten. May God bless you, your beautiful children, and your entire family.

Brandy Cvetan-Wife of Sgt Craig Cvetan
Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 5

January 9, 2006

Today we laid you to rest, fear not your famliy will be protected. God bless you and keep you 268.

Dispatcher of fellow fallen officer
EOW 1-8-2002 Dep Robert Tanner 60-17

Disp Kinsel
Muskingum Co SO

January 9, 2006

Rest In Peace Brother, you will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers.

Patrolman Mike Wilkins
Mayflower PD, AR

January 9, 2006

Ethan you will be sadly missed and never forgotten

Go With God, we will continue from here.

Trooper
Lancaster Highway Patrol P-23

January 9, 2006

282 Gone but never forgoten. Thank you for your service as a Deputy.

Jordan webb

January 9, 2006

Deputy Collins was an excellent officer. He lived the example of integrity, honesty, respect for others,and love of family. I had the honor of training Deputy Collins in Pepper Spay Certification and he always was an outstanding student and gentleman. I never knew him to say a foul word or a derogatory comment about anyone. He was an example for all of us to follow. We will miss him greatly.

Training Sgt. Terry Dunlap Sr.
Harrisburg, Ohio Police Department

January 9, 2006

My wife and I would like to send our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Ethan Collins of the Fairfield County Sheriff Department. 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.

January 9, 2006

Deputy Collins, your family and friends:

Thank you so much for your service. As I saw your brothers and sisters of your department last night, the pride that they take in knowing you was amazing. You were truly loved and will be missed. RIP

Wife of a Police Officer

January 9, 2006

Today you can rest in peace! God bless you and your family!

wife of leo florida

January 9, 2006

God bless the Collins' family during this most difficult time. Sorry for your loss. Such a price to pay for us all.

Ret. PO T. Russell
City of Miami PD

January 9, 2006

It never gets any easier to hear that we've lost another one of our boys in blue and though I never met you I know what kind of man you must of been...it takes a special kind of person to be a cop and it takes a true hero to wear that badge. We will never forget you.
It's now your job to walk to beats in heaven and keep a silent watch over your fellow officers...

Tears will fall, tabs will sound, the last call will go out but we will never forget you~

Kylie Robbins

January 9, 2006