Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tom,
I spent a few days with your mom. It was nice to be able to help her. We talked and cried. Lots of good stories about you from her. Came to the conclusion that we all will never be the same again. I am trying to go on each day and be thankful for that. I don't know what is in store for us but I do know that you will have a helpful hand in making sure that we will be alright. Today it is snowing. Thinking of you waiting for you to call and tell me to stay home because it is too bad to drive anywhere. I love you with all my heart. We all miss you so much!

Pamela Cook
Wife of Thomas Cook

December 5, 2007

Dearest Son: Its been too long since I sent you a reflection but I've had some bad days and a few good ones. I've thought of you every day and prayed for you every night. Our family has never been the same since we lost you but maybe with the grace of God we will be. Forever in my heart, your Loving Mother

November 24, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Tom----We have not forgotten.

November 21, 2007

Pam and Family,

Be strong, Tom is in a good place watching over you. The pain will deminish, but your memories will last forever.
And no cowardly act can ever take that away from you.

Be Well

November 17, 2007

Tom,
Thinking of you today. Happy Veterans Day. I changed your flag. Jimmy picked out the new one. 82nd Airborne. I am trying to get through these days ahead. Please help me and continue to give me strength to do this.

November 11, 2007

Hey kid whats up I hope you and wally are both doing good .I know me and Pam are really trying down here.Is really tuff.The holidays are coming soon I used to love them as Wally did too . Now its just a reminder that his anniversary date is coming closer.Me and Pam have yet to get together but we are working on it . I know that the last time me talked jess was sick .Just thought I'd stop in and say hi Take care of Pammy and the kids Tell Wally that i love him and miss him and you to behave up there !!! love ya love moe and the girls

November 6, 2007

Tommy, I think of you as often as I do Wally. Pam and the kids the same of you.

Sherry Wright/Telecommunicator
Ex Riverdale PD/CCPD/Dolton/Burnham

October 29, 2007

I have NOT forgotten---Justice WILL prevail---until then, just RIP.

October 22, 2007

"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

October 18, 2007

Tom,
Three years ago we bought this house. I remember celebrating with you. You were so happy and couldnt wait to start painting for us to move in. Things are not the way they should be. But I know that you are still here with me and the kids everyday. October is so hard for me. So many things going on that reminds me that you are not here. I love you with all my heart.
Pam

October 15, 2007

Tom,
Your little girl turns 8 today. Don't know where the time has flown. She wants only clothes for her birthday, as usual. I didnt know what else to get her. You always had the best ideas. So bought her a star neclace. She wanted a star like mine. When I gave it to her she had the biggest smile. Just like yours. Help jimmy with his boat race today. We miss having you here with us. We love you!
Pam

Pam
Wife of Thomas Cook

October 12, 2007

Pam, I only met you once, right before we moved into praire trails subdivison. I come to this page often and read tom's reflections. I never did get a chance to meet him, though I wish I would have. I am also a police officer and if you or your kids ever need anything please come down to see me or my wife renee. our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. take care.

sean--neighbor

October 10, 2007

Tom,
Just wanted to thank you for all of your guidence going to Green Bay. Can't believe I got there and back without getting lost. Thank you. Jimmy had a great time. He wore his farve jersey and fit well with all the fans. Thank you for making him a packer fan. I wore your bears pants and shirt. I think that brought them goodluck. Jimmy even met John Madden. He was so thrilled! Jessica spent the days doing girl things, the mall and painting her nails. Wisconsin was so beautiful. I know that you were there with us. We love and miss you so much!
Pam, Jimmy & Jessica

Pamela Cook
Wife of Thomas Cook

October 8, 2007

Tom,
Just sitting here thinking about you and Wally and how two sensless acts changed so many lives, I loved the South Suburbs once, but, now they have two too many sad memories, fortunately, there were some happy memories, but they are heavily over-ridden.

Anyway, I do think about Pam and the kids daily, hoping they are doing well, I know you are watching over them and guiding them, because thats what you did best, and even in death, nobody can take that away.

Watch over all of our mutual friends and family in blue, and one day we will all be together again.

RIP my friend.

October 5, 2007

Tom: I was thinking of you last week, one year after that awful day. What a tragedy it was for your family to lose you that way. You were a wonderful person and are missed terribly. Though I never knew your wife and children, I think of them often and what they must be going through every day. I've have seen interviews that Pam has given over the past year. She has been strong and graceful while coping with the tragedy of losing you. You must be so proud of her. She truly represents the strong and loving person that you were. I hope you are at peace and watching over your loved ones...and especially keeping watch over your brothers and sisters in blue. God Bless you and your family. You are missed!!

Friend

October 1, 2007

You are not forgotten sir and even though I have never met you I wanted to express my sympathy and prayers to your friends and families as they observe your first snniversary of the death of you
Rest in peace
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts
Town of Oconomowoc

September 28, 2007

RIP...your family is in our thoughts and prayers...Justice will previal one day...

dyer resident

September 27, 2007

Uncle Tom,
i am truly confused in life i dont know what to do anymore with all my problems at home or school i can hardly function im still working on your song and i think that it will be one of the most creative things ive ever writen. with today being the one year mark since you were so crudly and horribly taken from us it has just destroyed me inside to see my mom and grandma and everyone the way they are now. today will be a horrible day but all i can do is stand by and make sure the rest of the family is okay. it has been hard to be the same person i was before this happened and im trying so hard to live up to the promisses i made to you it is just to hard to keep a happy attitude the whole time and ive stopped trying to make myself happy im just trying to keep my sanity this year has been the worst of my life and the way things have been going makes me think it will never get better i just want to thank you for the little signs you give every once and a while and i cant help but to think that the whole ozzfest third row center thing was just you tring to tell me it will be alright well what ever happens in the future good or bad i want you to know i think about you everyday and i just lost more than an uncle i lost a role model someone i have looked up to ever since i was a baby and would wait for you to come home from work everyday just to see you flash the lights on your squad car and come in to play with me because my mom was to tired please help me to be strong on this day because i know im going to need help i love you and i always will
love,
your nephew Billy

September 27, 2007

Tommy its been a long year .Just want to say that your are missed dearly. Pammy and the kids are in my prayers .One year ago today our lifes were turned upside down again . First with wally and now you.When I received the call the first thing i did was to call Pam. Shes the only one that I could think of at that time . Shes has a heart of gold . We still haven't gotten together but it will happpen.And I know we will have a few drinks and laugh and cry.We talk on the phone or via email but we have a bond now Your a true hero Tommy and no one will ever take that away justice will prevail . I love you Pammy and the kids the newspaper was beautiful today. rest in peace Tom. Love the Rolniak family(det william wally rolniak eow 2-4-04)

September 27, 2007

uncle tommy the past year has been so hard for all of us. I cant believe its been a year it doesn't even feel close to that. i think about you every day and i hope that you continue to look over all of us. were really trying. you always have and always will be my hero. i love you.

Traci
God daughter

September 27, 2007

Tommy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Just remebering all the parties growing up at your house. What great memories! May your family hold on to those fond memories. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Rest in peace my brother...

JD

September 27, 2007

Tom,

Sitting here remembering the sadness I felt one year ago today, it still seems unreal, my thoughts and prayers are with your family as always. Keep a watch over all your "Brothers and Sisters in BLUE".

In closing, I am still holding out that one day I will open the paper and see they have arrested the scum that took your life in such a cowardly way. The day is coming I have faith.

September 27, 2007

Tom,
I can't believe it has been a year that you were taken from us. It was much too soon. Me and the kids are getting strength from you go on each day. Our memories of you will never fade away. You will allways be in our hearts and on our minds everyday. Thank you for allways being there for us. I know that we ment the world to you and you were the world to us. Give us the courage to go on every day. Let the funny stories you told us or the jokes give us a smile and be happy just for a moment. Continue to help your fellow officers at this time they all miss you very much. Please keep them all safe out there. We love you very much!
With all of our love
Pam,Jimmy&Jessica

Pamela Cook
Wife of Thomas Cook

September 26, 2007

It will be one year tomorrow, and a day has not passed that you are not in my thoughts and heart. Have faith in me--Justice will prevail!!

September 26, 2007

It was 1 year ago today that you were taken from us. Taken in such a horrible,senseless way. I will never, ever be able to understand why. At times the anger and the saddness consumes me, I miss you so very much.
You were taken from us and our lives were shattered. Sometimes we don't know where to turn or which way to go. That monster ruined so many lives.
I hope we made you proud this year. With the help of some wonderful, caring people we all did the best we could.
Promise that you and Dad will be there waiting for me at the gate. But until then please help me find my way and keep me strong. I'm trying Tommy but I am not the same person that I used to be. You know me I need a kick in the ass every once in awhile!
I will always treasure our 2 hour phone calls, the kind and caring soul you had, the little brat you could be (even as an adult), your hearty wonderful laugh and the true bond of an older sister and her little brother. A bond thats so strong that it can not even be broken in death. Just know how proud I am to say that you are my brother. Im proud of the man you became. The day you were buried part of my heart went with......I Love you

September 26, 2007