Brier Police Department, Washington
End of Watch Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Reflections for Police Officer Edwanton Allen "Eddie" Thomas
Thank you for choosing our profession and may you rest in peace.
Officer
Seattle Police Department
September 13, 2006
Godspeed and God Bless...WE WILL NOT FORGET.
Detective
Ellisville, Missouri Police Department
September 13, 2006
"The Creation of Peace Officers"
When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of
overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? A peace officer has
to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter
homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform.
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a
homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses,
and testify in court the next day.
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee
and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the
three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks,
"May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken
that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his
partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look
reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound
drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes;
recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest
a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to
debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime
scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder
victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't
sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace
officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to
put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that
funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.
Anonymous
Rebecca
Daughter and Wife of Men in Blue
September 13, 2006
I knew Thomas for only 2 months but in those 2 months he gained my respect quickly. He was very helpful to me when I reported to the US Coast Guard Marine Safety and Security Team 91101. Thomas was very proud and very informative about being a Police Officer as well. Wanting to be a Police Officer in the future myself, he answered all my questions about local agencies and the job itself, even offering a ride along so I could see what it was like. He was well liked and had a GREAT sense of humor.
My condolences go out to Eddie's family and to the Brier Police Department.
BM3 Allen
MSST 91101
September 13, 2006
Your truly a hero, god bless and keeping watching over the ones that are closet to you and your brothers and sisters in blue
Fiancee of an Officer
MI
September 13, 2006
Brother Thomas,
Though I never got the privilege of meeting you in person, in just the last few hours I have learned you're a great MAN of HONOR and PRIDE. Everyone who has worked with you has talked highly of you. Brother even though your time was short, you made a difference in every life you touched. My prayers and thoughts are with your family and fellow brothers/sisters. GOD will take care of you now. Rest in peace, brother......
Sergeant Jeff Beazizo
WSP
September 13, 2006
gone but not forgetten... I saw your storie on the morning news here in tacoma,wa.. I was unaware of your young age.. sorry ... I have had problems with diffrent medical areas for some years and i am 41 .. the body doesnt know the age it just rolls along.. god bless you and your loved ones... rest in peace...
robert arrington
a U.S citizen
September 13, 2006
REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY AND THANK YOU FOR THE MANY SACRIFICES YOU MADE ON BEHALF OF YOUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY.YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND DEPARTMENT.
Deputy Jamie Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office (Va.)
September 13, 2006
On behalf of the Des Moines, WA Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and department of Ofc. Thomas. We stand with you in solidarity and share your grief.
Gone, but not forgotten.
DMPD, surviving family in blue of
MPO Steven J. Underwood EOW 03-07-01
Des Moines Police Department
September 13, 2006
Eddie,
Thanks for sharing with me the experience you had during your time at The Evergreen State College Police Department. Officers in our department have shared so many special memories of your time at our department. Eddie Thank You for your service. May you rest in peace, May your family, department and friends find peace. Until we meet again.
God speed, rest now brother…
Officer Justin M. Cripe
Evergreen State College Police Department
September 13, 2006
My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of P.O. Edwatin Thomas~you're in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. May you find comfort and support with those around you.
God Bless You & Rest In Peace, P.O. Thomas!
Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04
September 13, 2006
MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO MOURN THE DEATH OF OFFICER THOMAS. MY BROTHER IN BLUE, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
September 13, 2006
Peace be with you always...
Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen, EOW 2/22/06
September 13, 2006
Rest in peace my brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Brier Police Department, are in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Sr. Officer D. Johns
City of Sandy Springs Police, GA
September 13, 2006
Thank you Officer Thomas for a dedication to making this country a safer place. Duty, Honor and Valor are the words that will forever belong to you. Rest in Peace.
Michael
Dept. of Homeland Security
September 13, 2006
Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service.
Trooper
Indiana State Police
September 13, 2006
Condolences to your family, friends and department. You gave it your best. You gave it your all. Rest Easy.
Sgt. W. L. Bonar (Retired)
King County SO
September 13, 2006
Rest in Peace,
Thank You for your service!
September 13, 2006
A sad day for everyone in law enforcement and the Brier Police Department. A young man gone way to soon. God Bless you and your family.
3jlb
September 13, 2006
God Bless
September 13, 2006
I never met you, I'm not even in law enforcement. Thank you for laying your life on the line. It's so sad to see a police officer taken away from us so young. May you be in a better place.
Just an everyday citizen
Ray Rutherford
September 13, 2006
Rest in peace brother in blue. May God comfort your family, friends, and coworkers.
Officer
Illinois
September 13, 2006
“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown
Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired
September 13, 2006
God bless you and your sacrifice will not be forgotten..
E. Abella
UWMC Public Safety
September 13, 2006
The Spokane Airport Police would like to offer it's condolence to Officer Thomas's family and to the officers and staff of the Brier Police Dept.
Spokane Airport Police Association
September 13, 2006
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