Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This was in the Church bulletin and it just seemed to fit.

IN MEMORIAM


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 a diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
So-Do not Stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die!
author unknown

I know you are still with us when it counts.
We miss you so very much.
I love you
Amy

Amy Ricks
Wife

May 29, 2008

Happy 13th Anniversary.

We love you and miss you.

Amy

Amy Ricks
wife

April 24, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 19, 2008

Deputy Ricks,
The two year anniversary of your EOW has passed and grateful citizens everywhere are thinking of your family and friends. May you continue to send down blessings to them, as your legacy will continue forever.

Pennsylvania citizen

January 14, 2008

Thank-you for your service Deputy Ricks.
On the 2 year anniversary of your EOW may your wife and children be blessed and comforted.
Not only today but always.

Holley Orr
Wife Of Detective Kevin Orr EOW 11-22-06

January 13, 2008

Dear Deputy Ricks and Family,

As the second year anniversary of your EOW date has come, please know that your extended family out here is thinking of you and remembering your life and your beloved family that are having to live each day without you here on earth.
I have read many of the reflections left for you and know the love and pain are a part of every moment of every day. I pray for comfort and strength for your wife and children as they live their life now. We honor your memory and sacrifice.

Linda Rittenhouse,
Always Matt's Mom

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

January 13, 2008

It is so hard to believe that you have been gone for two years. It seems like an eternity has passed. The kids and I released balloons today to take their messages to Daddy in Heaven.
Love you.
Amy, Mara, Jacob, and Sylvia

amy ricks
wife

January 13, 2008

HOW HONORED I AM TO LEAVE A REFLECTION FOR SUCH A LOVED, ADMIRED AND RESPECTED MAN.
READING THE REFLECTIONS FROM YOUR FAMILY/FRIENDS, BRINGS SUCH A PERSONAL TOUCH TO YOUR STORY. IT IS WONDERFUL YOU ARE VISTED SO OFTEN. YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE. I WILL CONTINUE MY JOURNEY TO LEAVE A REFLECTION FOR EVERY OFFICER ON THIS WEB SITE. I WISH ALL OF THE OFFICERS, MANY FROM THE PAST HAD SUCH REFLECTIONS LEFT FOR THEM, BUT AT SOME POINT THEY WILL ALL HAVE ATLEAST ONE. GOD BLESS YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN FOR THEIR COURAGE, THEIR BELIEF IN GOD, AND THEIR LOVE FOR YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 4, 2008

Happy Holidays
I miss you so much and so do the kids.
They are really growing fast.
Love Always

amy ricks
wife

December 14, 2007

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

We had such plans.

Your sister wrote this poem for you.

Brother's Birthday

Today it is your birthday
I wonder what you would have done,
If things had been different,
And you were still with us.

You would have gone to work,
Your coworkers would celebrate,
Cupcakes in the break room,
Off key songs,
Teasing jokes and laughter,
That your hair is greyer than just last year,
And there is even less on top.

You would have come home to family,
To love and laughter,
To dinner with your children,
Cake and presents too,
Hugs and kisses a plenty,
And lots of ‘I love you’s.

The phone would be ringing,
Good wishes from afar,
All the friends and family,
Who could not be there in person,
Would call to talk with you,
On this your special day.

I would have called as well,
And sang a silly song,
Just to make you laugh,
We would have chatted for awhile,
Caught up on all the news,
And I would let you know,
Though I am far away,
I did not forget your birthday.

Today I cannot be with you,
Not just because I am a thousand miles away,
There is no call or email,
No card or flowers,
No car, or train, or bus,
That can make it to where you are.

So today I light a candle,
Pure and tall and white,
Bright flame dancing,
To celebrate your life.

Today I cannot be with you,
Today I cannot call,
So today I light my candle,
I send my thoughts above,
To where I am sure you are waiting,
Arms open with love.

Know that here below,
You are not forgot,
On your birthday and every day,
You are in our thoughts.

I know that you are watching,
Although I cannot see,
I know you did not leave us alone,
You were called away.

And though today my heart aches,
Fresh and sharp the pain,
I know that time will dull the edges,
Ease the burden I bear.

Though time may soften,
The blow of your loss,
You will not be forgotten,
No matter how much time may pass.

So today it is your birthday,
Though you cannot be here,
We will celebrate you anyway,
Each of us your life has touched.

Today I light my candle,
Pure and tall and white,
In case you come to visit,
Its light shall be your guide.

Flame of remembrance,
Burning tall and bright,
Today I light my candle,
To celebrate your life.

Amy Ricks - wife of Cory
wife

September 16, 2007

Sadly I missed Cory's memorial. I worked with Cory at the old jail then at the new one. We were all so very green back then. We grew together in the job and as friends. I moved away due to personal reasons and heard about Cory from another SWSO CO. I wished I could have come.

Cory had become one of the best and will be missed!

Tammy

CO (D160) Tammy Kelley Halaska
X-Seward County Corrections Officer

August 31, 2007

Jacob had a great time at camp. It only saddens me to know how he was able to attend COPS kids camp.

It still feels like they told me the news yesterday. I am waiting for it to be better.

Love Always
Amy

amy ricks
wife

August 12, 2007

I have been thinking about you so much lately. We just returned from Philadelphia and the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation's memorial. It was so beautiful. They treated the kids so well, and the city was awesome. It reminded me of all the things we did not get to do together. We all miss you so terribly much.
Amy

amy ricks
wife

June 27, 2007

cory
i am 9 years old.
I had fun in DC and your memorial was nice.
Mara wants to have a party for you.
We flew to DC at 33,000 feet it was cool.
We went through clouds and had a ruff landing
It freaked mom out,
I liked flying on the little jumper planes
love
jacob

Jacob Ricks
son of Cory

May 26, 2007

Police Week in DC was awesome, and I can't tell you how many I thought to myself Cory would have loved to do this.

I miss you every second of every hour of every day.

Sylvia may never have met you, but she is so much like you it is uncanny.

Love ya

Amy Ricks
wife

May 21, 2007

It has been awhile since I have posted on here But I thought I would say that even though our lives move forward we still miss Cory every day, every minute, and every second. Cory has a new neice she is 5 months old. She may never have meet him but she will know him.

Cynthia
Sister

Cynthia Behrendt
sister of Cory EOW 1/13/2006

May 16, 2007

It has been awhile since I have posted on here But I thought I would say that even though our lives move forward we still miss Cory every day, every minute, and every second. Cory has a new neice she is 5 months old. She may never have meet him but she will know him.

Cynthia
Sister

Cynthia Behrendt
sister of Cory EOW 1/13/2006

May 16, 2007

He was a really cool guy. I will never forget the looks on the inmates faces when he brought in cookies and soda for all the inmates even though we didn't deserve it. I had the privilege of talking with him before he died. We were talking about changing things that could've been changed. He said "I wouldn't trade a minute of my life for anything in the world." He was so excited about his wife having another baby. He helped me by telling me that even though we sometimes get a bum deal that we can always change our circumstances. He told me I could do anything I put my mind to. Thank you for your thoughts and wisdom. You were a good man and will sorely be missed. You helped me straighten me life out. My thoughts go out to your wife and children. God bless you all.

DeAnna

DeAnna
Former Inmate

April 27, 2007

4/29/2007 would have been 12 years.
Happy Anniversary

Amy Ricks
wife

April 26, 2007

I am a Police Unity Tour Rider and have been since 2004,
That was the year my brother in law was added to The Wall.
He was also 33yrs old,line of duty death in Va Beach.
I have the Honor this year to ride in Deputy Cory Allen Ricks Memory. He will not be forgoten, he will not be just a #. If family or friends would like to talk to me about the ride please Email me at [email protected]. I would love to meet you in D.C.

Constable John D Mosley Jr
Pa State Constable

April 2, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this first anniversary of your end of watch. I know the pain they feel in their broken hearts and the many silent tears that they have experienced. There are not magic words I can offer to help them with their grief except to keep your memory alive by telling stories about you and asking others that knew you to tell them stories that they know. Keep watch over your loved ones. You are a true hero and you will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 16, 2007

Deputy Ricks..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers as they remember you on your 1 yr anniversary in Heaven..please continue to watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU ARE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

mi state police recruit
detroit

January 16, 2007

Cory, may god continue to watch over your family, you may be gone, but will never be forgotten.

X K-9 104

January 16, 2007

You and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers as the first anniversary of your EOW approaches. Please know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten and you will always be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

January 12, 2007

It is so hard for me to believe it has been almost a year since you were taken away from us. Some days it hurts worse than it ever has.

I miss you and the kids do too!
Love always,
amy

amy ricks
wife

January 1, 2007