Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Merry Christmas. We have not forgotten you and never will. You and your family are in our hearts. God Bless !!

December 26, 2006

DUDE. Merry Christmas. We tightened up your corner a few weeks ago, cuz it was looking kind of ragedy. I suspect the wild life was making off with your candles and what not, but then it snowed. D'oh! Speaking of wildlife, I was leaving out the station the other day and I saw this HUGE possum. It looked like a dog wearing a fur coat. Which by the way speaking of dogs, if Daro could only talk. What would he say?? Probably get me a helmet you fool!, (the way you would drive!) Hahaha. Poor dog sliding around in the back of your truck. Well that's it for now my friend. Ill get back with you later on. Peace!

Ofc. Diaz
Village of Maywood

December 25, 2006

Officer Wood, may you enjoy your Christmas in heaven this year with your Lord.Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2006

Rest in peace, brother.

P/O Ciszewski
Elmhurst PD

December 8, 2006

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Wood, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Thomas, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Thomas' life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Thomas' life was about so much more than the way he died. Thomas will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Wood, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost four years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 6, 2006

Some of the Most Beautiful Rainbows appear after Turbulent, Treacherous, Storms.......

While we are all working our way through this Violent, Savage Storm; Rainbows are shooting out from so many different directions.

The one thing Tommy did BEST was find the Good In ALL. More times than none he would walk away with his mouth shut rather than trash talk another or put up a fight. Back in the "Day" (Well before my time of course!) Police Officers were referred to as "PEACE" Officers. They were in place to "Keep Peace" within the community.
That was our Tommy....Always trying to keep the Peace whether it was on the streets or within our family.

Officer "FRIENDLY" (what WE referred to Tom when he started dating Helene!).... It's not a coincidence that your badge reads "Village Of Eternal Light". YOUR Eternal Light will shine for many years to come.... The lives you have touched, the good you have brought out in others. You operated from your HEART and let your EGO take a back seat. You stood up for what you believed in and stayed strong in your beliefs.

It's not about the "Stuff" we accumulate in Life, the money that we make, the clothes we wear or the cars we drive....It's about the Legacy we leave behind, The Impression on the hearts of the Individuals that continue on in this life after our mortal existence. It's about the Children we positively impact who are the future leaders in this world.

Well Tommy, In 37 short years, I'd say you have left Quite The LEGACY!!! May we all focus on the Many Rainbows you have helped to create!

A Humble Soul here on Earth....A Powerful Force in the Spirit World. Forever We Will LOVE You...... Until we meet again!

Josephine Metoyer-Moore
Sister-In-Law

December 3, 2006

DEAR MRS WOOD,

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM ABOUT YOUR LOSS. MY PARTNER IS A POLICE OFFICER AND I WORRY EVERYDAY ABOUT HER WELL BEING. I AM NOT SURE IF YOU HAD SEEN THE VIDEO OF PICTURES I MADE FOR YOU THAT I HAD GIVEN TO CHIEF MOBLEY . IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT AND YOU WOULD LIKE SOME PICTURES (FREE OF CHARGE) LET ME KNOW. I HAVE DONE MANY POLICE FUNERALS BUT I THINK THAT YOUR HUSBAND'S FUNERAL WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL .

LOVE ALWAYS

SANDRA LEE SULLIVAN
NORTH CHICAGO POLICE DEPT.
(PHOTOGRAPHER)

SANDRA LEE SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHER
NORTH CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 1, 2006

tom its been a month now, happy thanks giving.im still here with you. cant forget you buddy.standing bye. untill we catch the offender.the night this happend i asked you a question. wanna go to the bar and have a couple of drinks? and you said, no man i have a wife waiting for me. like you always told me. just thought i would ask.even if i said. shes got you like that.
you said all ok yea. but you still went home.every day i will be expecting you at work, hopefully it is just a nightmare.

MAYWOOD POLICE DEPT

November 24, 2006

Everyone -
I want you to know your words are so comforting to me. When I read these reflections, I feel as if every single one of you know exactly what I need to hear that day, to get me through the ache my heart feels for him. For those of you who know him and for those of you who have obviously been going through the same pain, I pray for your loss too. When the question pops up "why are the good ones always taken" I can honestly say "I get it"....I finally get it now...for every death of a great person like Tom, a greatness comes out of each and every one of us that we may just now be discovering....because of Tom's death I've been blessed by more beautiful people, such as yourselves, than I ever imagined existed in this crazy world....I hope that we can all keep our hearts open to the good in this world and forgive the ones who don't have enough sense to find it in themselves...if the way Tom lived hasn't taught us that, than at least we can have peace in knowing he's created a circle among us....a circle that will never be broken....and I want you all to know I'm here for you too....take care....and be safe.

p.s. Morales - if you happen to be reading this, thanks... you hit it right on the bullseye...I've never been touched like that through a poem.

Helene Wood
Tommy's Wife

November 24, 2006

I worked the night Tom was taken from us and heard everything on the radio as it happend. Some of my very best friends work with Tom and I had the privlage to meet him a couple of times and with that I leave this

IT IS NOT HOW HE DIED THAT MADE TOM A HERO, IT IS HOW HE LIVED

May your legacy live on in our hearts and your good moral shine through all of us we are a BAND OF BROTHERS and we will be reunited again

Civ. Miranda
Hillside Police

November 22, 2006

First of all I want to offer my condolences to Ofc. Woods family and friends. From what I have heard from people who knew this officer and what I have read, this poem(FINAL INSPECTION) has some relevance to the dedication he had to the job and family. God bless.


The Police Officer stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you 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 of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.


I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.


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've wept unmanly tears.


I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

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 a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the police officer waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.


"Step forward now, you policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

C/O Morales
Cook County Sheriff's Dept.

November 21, 2006

Rest in peace knowing the law enforcement community will care for your family and will not rest until your killer is brought to justice. Be with God Thomas.

N Ledoux Patrol Officer K-9 Handler
Manchester NH Police Dept

November 21, 2006

I'm a believer in remembering those we've lost with happy thoughts, so here's mine. I first met Helene through a networking group. I had been communicating with her for weeks via e-mail before an event we were going to be selling our wares at. We had set it up for both Tom and her to pick me up at the train station downtown and drive to our event. They were right on time, and we went to our event (which wasn't all that successful! :) Helene and I got along famously, while Tom was for the most part quiet and hung out toward the back of our display, doing his "cop" thing (watching) :) He said very few words, but in that short time I was with them, you could tell they had something special, and you could tell he was one of the "good" guys. I just wish we could have gotten together again before this tragedy happened. My prayers are with you and your family Helene, and I am here for you!

Sara Sweeney
Friend

November 19, 2006

Dear Family,Friends & Co-Worker of Officer Wood, May the Peace only God can give,be with each of you as the Holiday's approach. These are the hadest days, as your trying to keep a smile on your face,while your hearts are breaking inside. Through the loss of my son-in-law, I met and have learned to respect the family of Officer Michael P. Gordon EOW 08-08-04. Chicago Police Dept. Please know your family of "Fallen Officers" are lifting you in our prayers and will never let Thomas be forgotten. HERO"S never die. Their memory will forever live in our hearts. We will never understand why such terrible acts have to happen. But please find comfort in knowing that our sympathy is with you. I salute you Thomas, thank you for a job well done. Family, know that your loved one will always be watching over you from the portals of Heaven where HERO"S live forever. Love&Prayers Carolyn Moore Mother-in-law of Sgt.Jeffrey T. Hewitt EOW 04-04-04

carolyn moore

November 19, 2006

Never did I think I'd turn on the news and a horrible thing like this would be about someone I know and love. Uncle Tommy was always so goofy. I used to get so annoyed when he would pick fun of something I was wearing or giving me crap about dating cause he knew I wasn't allowed to. He just fit with our family, like he had always been around, and that's not always normal with our family lol. Nanny Dee I know you check this so I want you and the kids to know how much I love and miss you guys. Between all of us I've always felt closest with you guys and I hate being so far away especeially right now. I'll always cherish our memories with Uncle Tommy; disney world, missing flights, sash :)... I love you nanny Dee... Love you Uncle Tommy. God Bless.

Jacque
Niece

November 15, 2006

Tom is missed by all of those who knew him. For those who weren't blessed to have known him, let me just tell you, He was loved. Helene, our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. May you find peace and comfort. Tom is up in heaven watching over you and the kids and is very proud of the strength and courage you have shown. His love will never leave you. In your thoughts and heart he will always be close. God Bless You.

JULIE/JOHN MARTIN
FRIEND

November 14, 2006

I hope they catch this offender sooner rather than later. I hope his family finds comfort any way possible. That was the most sad event I have ever personally witnessed. PO Diaz is a buddy of mine in Maywood, and he said everyone likes Tom. I have nothing really to say except God bless the Family, his Wife and lets catch this mother fucker.

P.O. Matthew Paulish
UIC Police

November 10, 2006

My thoughts are with the Wood family and the Maywood Police Department during this horrific time. Officer Wood sounds like he was a wonderful and entertaining fellow.

Amber
Wife of an Officer in Austin, TX

November 9, 2006

To the family of Thomas Wood, my deepest sympathy. From reading all of the postings, he was a wonderful man. And he will never be forgotten in your community.

To the dispatchers working that night, please know that you did everything you could. It is our worst fear to hear those words, to feel so helpless. I am sure he is smiling down at you and saying "they are my heros"! My thoughts are with you.

To his fellow officers, he is watching down on you and guiding you through your shift. His memories will live on in your hearts, that is something that the perpritrator can not take away.

Dispatcher
Allegan County Central Dispatch - Michigan

November 9, 2006

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, but happy that you lived. Reading the reflections left by those who knew you let me know what a special person you were. It has been almost 2 years since we lost my dad and my husband was also shot and barely survived his injuries. We have 5 children as well, and my heart goes out to Helene for having to do it alone now. I pray you will find strength and comfort from the Lord, your memories and your extended family of the Thin Blue Line.
Officer Wood, thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice. May you rest with God, patrolling the streets of Gold. I know justice will be served, if not here, then later on the final judgement day.

Lori Johnson Rowley, wife of NC LEO
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, FCSO, NC

November 7, 2006

Tom I just wanted to let you know that my family and I miss you very much. We wish you were here but we know that right now you are in a much better place walking with God. I just wanted to say that we love and care about you and you will never be forgotten because you were one in a million. No one can ever compare to you because there is only one Thomas Wood who was unique and special. So you will forever remain close in our hearts. All of the memories we have of you are very funny. I remember the first time we encountered you was when I told you that I had a dog that I couldn't keep anymore because my son had allergies, and you came over to the house and from the moment we met you we bonded with you and it was as if we had known you for 10 years. We had a very long conversation and you had every one laughing hard. You showed all of your personality and goofiness. You kept smiles on our faces each time we saw you and brought a lot of joy to our lives and ever since then you became very attached to us and started coming over all the time. I miss it alot. Tom, you were an awesome man and I just want to say thank you for being an excellent friend, listener,and great role model. Rest in peace my friend and we will meet again when I get to heaven. Love ya! My condolences goes out to your wife and five children. May God be with you all at this painful time in your life and allow him to heal you. Let go and let God. God bless.

danielle
friend

November 6, 2006

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

November 6, 2006

Tom you have always been there for me without question. You and Helene opened your home to me and made me a part of your family. Tom now it's time for me to be there for you and as you know I have alway been honest with you and that will not change now. Before I left I talked to Helene about how great your 5 children are. I want you to know that after your passing the word GREAT does not do Helene and the kids justice. Tom they are a reflection of you and Helene. I am glad I had that time with you and your family and I want you to know that I plan to continue my relationship with them. Tom I love you and I am forever in your Debt. THANK YOU for being my true friend.

Cliff
Friend/Brother

November 6, 2006

K9 Officer Wood, I did not know you, but we have a lot in common, for I too am a Police Officer. And we stand united against all that is wrong with our world. All we can hope is to make a difference, one day at a time. You’ve made that difference, and you now get the reward of going to a better place. As the poem says, you’ve done your time in Hell, so enjoy your new beat on Heaven’s Streets. Watch over us and keep us safe my brother. May God Bless you, your Family and the Members of the Maywood Police Department.

Ptlm. Mark Marchesi #2528
Parkside Police Dept. (Delaware County, PA)

November 6, 2006

Tom has left his mark in the community. He has made a significant difference in the lives of many. I wish I knew him better. He always treated me with kindness, respect, and a sense of humor. As a cousin I grieve for Helene and the entire family. As a person who believes it is the responsibility of everyone to be involved in their communities; I grieve for the Maywood area, the Shiller Park neighborhood and the community of Proviso East High School. What a loss it is for all of us. I had the occasion to speak at a Christian group last week and when I mentioned Tom’s name; Walt Whitman reflected his knowledge of Tom. He spoke of how Tom was intricate in a campaign to “stop the bullets” at the high school. Not only did he walk with the school principal; but he walked with every student every day. He wanted to make a change in the world – and he did: one person at a time. God bless Tom's spirit, God bless Helene and the family; and God bless all those Tom touched in his short life.

Cousin Ev
Cousin

November 5, 2006