Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Sgt. James Hardin

Thank you for your dedicated service. You will be missed by your family, friends, and all members of the police department family. No words I can say will easy your family's pain as I have found. We are praying for you and your family. You are a true hero.

Brother of PO Jeremy Chambers 101
E.O.W. 04-24-2006

PO Chris Chambers
St Louis County Police Mo

January 13, 2007

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'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 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 the 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."

Deputy Meredith Ward
Gulf County Sheriff's Office

January 13, 2007

Rest in peace my brother

Patrolman
Brush PD Colorado

January 13, 2007

On January 11, 2007 I received a phone call at 6:50 am. I woke up and immediately knew who it was. It was Sgt. Hardin calling. I answered the phone and heard him laugh. He knew..... TT was late. I said that "I'm sorry, I'm late." He just laughed and said "alright." I rushed to get ready for work and put on the same uniform from the day before. I hated wearing a dirty uniform, but I was so late and I didn't want Sgt. Hardin to be mad at me. I joined in at our usual meeting place at the old Bi-lo parking lot for our briefing, like we have done so many times before. Matt Jean aka "MFMJ", Tim Huggins aka "Brooklyn", and Heath aka Sgt. Hardin, were all lined up in a row. I pulled up beside Sgt. Hardin's car. He rolls down his passenger window. He was playing that solitare game on the computer. He finally got a laptop computer in his car. I asked him, "Are you playing that d*** game again?" He laughs and looks at me and says, "Nice of you to join us T!" I felt so bad for being late. I told him I was sorry but I just couldn't get to sleep the night before. I was having a hard time getting to sleep. He asked why and I told him I don't know, I just did. He backs his car up and we all get out for our briefing. Sgt. Hardin gets out of the car and starts out like he always does, "OK sports fan, here we go," grinning from ear to ear, like he always does. He goes on with the briefing from the night before. We all pick one another for a few minutes and then we do our "STRIKE TEAM ALPHA." We place our hands together, mine on bottom, Brooklyn, Matt and then Sgt. Hardins' on top. He always says, "Ok Strike Team Alpha" on three. Sometimes he would say it so fast that we all would just look at one another and say, "ok start over" laughing. We would line our hands up again and yell "SRIKE TEAM ALPHA". Brooklyn would lead us off in prayer and we would start our tour of duty. We would do that every day we worked. If there was a day that we couldn't, Sgt. Hardin would always say he would get with us in a little while. We always ended in a prayer. That day started out as any other day, not knowing it would be one of our last. There is an old saying that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, it's broke now and it can't be fixed. My heart aches.
Sgt. Hardin was the best supervisor and friend that anyone could ask for. He was always there for you and you didn't have to ask. He was willing to help you and would never complain. I learned a lot from him. I learned how to be patient, how to keep an open mind, and not to be so suspicious of everyone. He was joking with me one day and said he was going to give me an indian name. I just laughed. He thought for a minute and said, "your indian name is going to be 'she who likes to aruge.'" We just laughed. Every day at work was enjoyable. I loved going to work knowing that I was going to be with Heath, Matt and Brooklyn. I had a lot of respect for Sgt. Hardin. I thought the world of him. He was the best supervisor I have ever had. If I could have taken your place that horrible day, I would have gladly done so, so that you could be here with your family. I know my day will come to and I hope that you will be there at the door holding it open for me. I might be a little late, but I'll be there.
I am so shocked as to what has happened and still can't belive that this is real. I don't know how we will manage work without you, but we will do what you would want us to do. We all went and bought a pair of high gloss black shoes, just for you. Matt is assuming your watch, Brooklyn said that he is never taking his tie off again and I will start wearing my vest.
There is only one "Strike Team Alpha". YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED!! I love you, rest in peace.

Officer Theresa Taylor #624 aka "TT"
Hope Mills Police Department

Officer Theresa Taylor #624
Hope Mills Police Department

January 13, 2007

To the Wife and Children of Fallen Officer and Hero, James H. Hardin, my heartfelt condolences to you all. My heart was filled with sadness as I came to this website this morning. Your husband was way too young to leave this world. My husband was 45 when he passed away from a fatal heart attack also, and I thought he was too young also. He must have been a great man,Hero,father,husband,co-worker,etc.Please know that your family will be in my thoughts and prayers these next few days especially. It seems heaven must have wanted another angel to patrol the fine golden streets.God Speed You Officer Hardin, and if you see my husband Ray there patroling them streets find him,talk to him, and you will find he was a fine man too.
God Bless Your Family. Love, Christy Rios and Children.

Christy Rios and Family
Wife and children of fallen officer Ramon M. Rios Jr. D.P.D. 520

January 13, 2007

Sgt. Hardin, thank you for you faithful service. You are a hero who will be missed by many. To the Hardin family and to the Hope Mills PD family, my prayers and sympathies to all of you at this time.

Traffic Officer Tom Williams
City of Los Angeles DOT

January 13, 2007

GOD SPEED Sgt. Hardin.. May God Watch over your family durning this Trying times.. Your heroic actions made you pay the Ultimate Sacrifice... Thank you for everything your provided to the citizens of Hope Mills..

scott davis
murfreesboro police department

January 13, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May your children always know what a Hero you are.

Stacey
wife of a police officer

January 13, 2007

We shared some good times and some bad. We laughed til we cried about many things and we shed tears over the loss of our fellow officers. This year we will stand in front of the memorials and honor you instead of having you stand with us. From your tailored uniforms and high gloss boots to your ever present smile we will miss you. You brought all of us so much joy. It is difficult to put into words how much the little things mean. We'll miss you buddy.

Senior Sergeant M. Hurley
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

January 13, 2007

Heath is a geat man who will be truely missed by all. I am so glad that I had the opertunity to have him as my friend. He has been taken from sight, but never from our hearts. He will live on by those of us who knew him as a fellow officer, friend, son, father and husband. We will see him again in better place. But until then we will never forget all he means to us. God bess him.

Field Traing Officer T.S. Neukam
Hope Mills PD

January 13, 2007

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Ofc. CR Harrison
Greenville NC Police

January 13, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

January 13, 2007

Rest easy brother, we'll take it from here..

Officer L. Beardsley
Wyoming, MN PD

January 13, 2007

Dear Heath,

I know you are in a better place, and I know you will always be with those that you worked with and your family, but I wish you were still here just so I could tell you how much you mean to everyone that had the honor of knowing you.

You have known me for about 9 years, and we have spent many an hour talking about the fire dept, EMS, and the PD. You have seen me through alot and you were always an inspiration on the dark days. I don't know what to say except that you were like a brother to me, and I remember all the good times that we all had together.

You know you asked me once what had happened between my ex and I a and you were so worried becasue you did not want that to happen between you and
shelley, well I told you then that is would'nt and it hasn't. You will nhever be forgotten as long as there is breath in me because I can truly say that you were my friend . I love you and you always know that there are alot of people that you have touvhed and i wish everyone could have known you for you were a good man. Rest in peace and I know you are with God becasue we had that talk to.

Goodbye friend. Susan Johnson

Beverly Susan Johnson
Paramedic and friend

January 13, 2007

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers or Sergeant James Hardin~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, Sgt Hardin!

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of a fallen Michigan P.O.

January 12, 2007

I have been in law enforcement for only 3 1/2 years all with Hope Mills. For approximately last three years I have directly with Heath. (Sgt. Hardin) I have seen him go from an officer to an officer acting as shift supervisor, to corporal, and finally to SGT. in July. I love coming to work but if there was anyone who loved coming work more than me it was Heath. There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't learn something new from him. He was a great teacher and a great supervisor. When you are a rookie you always hear about calls and stories from the past, the kind of stories that you wish you could have been there with him. I was fortunate to enough to be able to live some of those stories with Heath. HE LOVED THIS JOB!!! HE LOVED HIS FAMILY!!! Sgt. Hardin was the supervisor of A platoon aka "STRIKE TEAM ALPHA" with only four members you can imagine how close we were. ++Heath you would tell us everyday to think smart, drive safe, and be safe. I want you to know that we will because that is what what you expect of us. I already miss one of my bestfriends. You will never be forgotten. You will forever be a part of my life as you helped me become the officer that I am today. I just hope one day that I can be half the officer as you were. I want you to know that I will do my best with Brooklyn and T.T.
WE LOVE YOU ALPHA LEADER.

F.T.O. M.K. Jean
Hope Mills Police Dept

January 12, 2007

Shelly, Samantha and Mason....I'm so blessed to have known Heath! His memory will live forever with those who knew him. He was funny, kind and compassionate. Every time he spoke of his family, his eye would "sparkle" he loved you all so much! Shelly, he always talked about you and the love was so obvious, I admired his integrity and tender heart! I never saw him unhappy once. He had a smile and a kind word for everyone. I think of Heath with gratitude and respect. I'm proud to have had him for a friend. My heart breaks for all of you! Please know he was cared for by many and admired by many more! I'll never forget the "twinkle" in his eye's when he laughed. If I could trade places with him right now I would just so you could have him back. His life was short but what an impact he made! Be strong and proud of him....he was the best human being I've had the pleasure to be associated with. God bless you all....In loving memory of a wonderful man!

Sandra Bitler
Friend

January 12, 2007

Dear Hardin Family. What a tragic loss. You are in my prayers.

Chaplain David Copeland
White County Sheriff's Dept. Arkansas

January 12, 2007

Your family and friends are in my prayers. Rest in peace.

Officer Dwight Rackley
Louisville Metro Police, KY

January 12, 2007

Heath,
I am still in shock and I really don't know what to say. None of this seems real although, it couldn't be more so. Since I don't know what to say, I'll just say that I loved you. As did everyone else that was involved with your life. My world is a lesser place now that you're gone. Your very presence would always bring a smile to my face. When we were partners I always felt safe when you were around. We had to get back to back a few times didn't we buddy...we always came out on top though..until yesterday. We tried Heath, god knows we tried and I hope that you know too. Everyone worked so hard. I would have gladly layed in your place. But, then again so would have anyone who knew you and worked with you. We had alot of good times on duty and off. Heath, you were a credit to yourself, our profession, and our department. If the citizens of our city only knew what they have lost. I have always admired you for your character, your integrity, your honesty, and your professionalism. You were the epitome of the Law Enforcement Professional. I am proud and honored to have been called a friend by you. I haven't forgotten the talks we had from time to time about what you would want if something ever happened to you. I promised you then and I promise you now that you will have everything that you wanted. Everyone is seeing to that. Your family is in my prayers, know that we are going to take care of them. I will always remember you as the 'Proud Professional', the best of the best, and a true friend. Rest now, look down on us as we honor you and your life and be proud. It is our privilige. I love you and miss you. I'll write more later, I just can't say any more right now. God bless you and your family.

Sgt. D.M. Servie
Hope Mills Police Department

January 12, 2007

Sarge,

Your community is truely a better place because of you and what you stood for, you did not lose your life, you gave it in service to others.......A TRUE HERO.

Detectice Ben Smith
Red Springs Police Department,N.C.

January 12, 2007

Godspeed Sergeant Hardin. Your life and loss will never be forgotten. May God watch over your family, friends, and co-workers during this dark time.

Detective D. Thompson
Colorado Springs Police Department

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace and thanks for your service.

k9 officer

January 12, 2007

To the wife, children, family, friends and coworkers of Sgt. Hardin you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and guide you through these troubled times. Another HERO taken to patrol the streets of heaven above. God bless you all.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

January 12, 2007

James. You worked hard to protect the citizens of Hope Mills. We appreciate your service and sacrifice. Rest easy brother.

Dave Bradford , Deputy Sheriff
Wake County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit

January 12, 2007