Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Dearest Brother and true Friend, the one who I could always depend on to be trusting and encouraging at all times. You gave me confidence when i needed it and a good scolding when i needed it as well. You defended me and stood up for what is true and correct. I thank God that i was honored with visiting with you the morning before you left us. I thank God for blessing me with you and your family as my friends. I miss you so much it hurts. I tell Tony every time there is a delema, " I wish we could call Gama, I bet he'd know the right answer."
Raul, I remember when you saved that little guy out of the river bed. We were so proud of you and we were so honored to be there when Sheriff Sherman Block honored you with that award! And oh my goodness, You are the reason that I was able to go on my ride along more than once, and to top it off because of YOU i was able to go up in the helocopter and experiance the time of my life. YOu taught me so many things that only a true brother could do! You affected our lives and planted the most positive seeds. God blessed us with YOU! Becuase of the lives you have touched, this world will never be the same. I will never be the same. I have been wanting to leave a memory since you left us, but i couldnt becuase it was too difficult. Now that Christmas is nearingm i was going thourgh some photos and saw one that i keep close. Its the one of you stuffing Santa with them pillows before we go and hand out candly to the kids in the community. YOu were always helping Santa get ready at our house with Barron, Miguel, and Margarita. I miss you my beloved brother. I miss you and love you forever!
YOUr sister from another mister, Monica Sanchez

Monica Sanchez
Sister from another mister

December 10, 2007

I've prayed for you and your family, and will continue to do so...


Godspeed ...sir

DEP ESTRADA
LASD

November 26, 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

November 12, 2007

To the family, friends and colleagues of LASD Deputy Sheriff Raul GAMA; May God bring comfort and healing in your trying times. To Deputy GAMA, Aloha and Mahalo for helping us in the quest to keep America safe for many more generations to come. Rest In Peace Brother.

Sgt. Neal Miyasato
State Of Hawaii, Department Of Transportation, Harbor Police

October 13, 2007

To the family, friends and colleagues of LASD Deputy Sheriff Raul GAMA; May God bring comfort and healing in your trying times. To Deputy GAMA, Aloha and Mahalo for helping us in the quest to keep America safe for many more generations to come. Rest In Peace Brother.

Sgt. Neal Miyasato
State Of Hawaii, Department Of Transportation, Harbor Police

October 13, 2007

There is no telling how many lives you positively affected in your twenty years of service. We are so grateful there are people like you in law enforcement. May you find the peace that you are so well deserved and may your family find strength in our continued prayers.

Godspeed.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of my department,

Officer Matthew Lewek
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

June 25, 2007

TO THE WIFE AND CHILDREN OF DEPUTY RAUL GAMA,

MAY I BEGIN BY SAYING I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER. I TOO, UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN. I LOST MY BEAUTIFUL HUSBAND LAST JULY TO A CAR ACCIDENT.

MRS. GAMA, NO WORDS AT THIS TIME COULD MAKE THINGS CHANGE, BUT MAYBE THEY CAN MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER. KNOWING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION THAT YOUR HUSBAND GAVE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. FROM READING THESE REFLECTIONS, HE SOUNDS LIKE A VERY RESPECTED, LOVING MAN. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR MEMORIES..NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE THAT FROM YOU. NOW, YOU HAVE FOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN TO LOOK AFTER. LEAN ON EACHOTHER, YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU IS TO BRING YOU PEACE. JUST REMEMBER, YOU WILL SEE YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND AGAIN..I KNOW HE IS WATCHING OVER YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN NOW.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU,

SHAWNA PIQUETTE
SURVIVING SPOUSE OF DEPUTY DAVID PIQUETTE
E.O.W. 7-7-06

SHAWNA PIQUETTE
WIDOW OF DEPUTY DAVID PIQUETTE

June 24, 2007

TIO RAUL...
I never got the chance and the absolute PRIVELEGE to meet you. Sometimes I keep thinking that you are here and then it hits me and I start to cry. I wish that I would have got the chance to meet you. Mom and I sat up the other night and told me everything as to why you weren't close to mom and tia. She told me that when you were working at county that my dad met you (surprise surprise) while he was i guess you can say "vacationing" in jail...had to throw in a lil joke. Kinda hard not to notice someone with the last name GAMA. Tio...I honestly wish that our family was closer. I know how you must have felt growing up...believe me when i say this because I grew up the same way. I pass by rose hills everyday when i go to and from work and the other day i passed by to visit you. I saw the lil police car that someone left you and i sat next to you. I started to think how it could have been had i met you. An LAPD officer the other day somehow remembered me from the funeral the other day at a DODGER game and when he gave me a hug i held in the tears as much as i could. Im the strong one of the family...the self proclaimed BLACK SHEEP of the family. And for me...right now...i wish i could go back in time and ask mom if i could call you. When ever i would see a Sherif...i would think to myself if that was you....eehhmmmm and get scared as hell when one or two...opps would pull me over...dont worry all my tickets are paid for...hahaha. I wish...I wish one day Sandra and the kids will come by. I pray you are watching over mom...tia...abuelito(your father) even though we were not close...i pray you are at peace....


I LOVE YOU TIO

Denise Sanchez
Niece

June 18, 2007

Raul my favorite memory of you was back in 2002 which included your 3 little girls (at the time) Monica, Crystal, and my favorite little frijolera Anita. MY 3 boys Alejandro, Santiago, and Vicente (who was the "victim") I know will never forget, ever, in their lives because of you.

I myself wanted to share something sweet and funny about you at your Rosary. So now's my chance and hopefully it'll come out just as funny as when I tell it to someone who is in my company. If your family reads this I hope it will bring a good chuckle or a hearty laugh.

It was the summer of 2002 and at the time my youngest son Vicente was 4 years old and was hospitalized for pneumonia in June for 6 awful days. Well it must have been middle of July or August because it was hot. We just came back from taking a walk around a block or two and ended up at your front yard. The girls had their scooters and bikes out. So we stopped and stayed awhile. Sandra must have been out running errand. My boys had fun riding the scooters and playing with the girls. And here comes the nice melody of the ICE-CREAM TRUCK. Everybody wanted ice-cream. But I did'nt have a cent in my pocket. So seeing my boys with a sad look on their faces, you treated everybody to ice-cream.

So about 10 minutes later everybody is happy licking away at their ic-cream. My Vicente starts coughing. He keeps on coughing and coughing. At first I didn't worry TOO much because it did'nt seem TOO serious.

Then my poor sweet 4 year old baby starts gagging and keeps on coughing. Then I get a little nervous and go over to him and pat him on the back to help with the coughing. He really starts to cough so bad that he is bent over and starts to gag so bad that he start to actually THROW-UP!! Now I'm scared!! I'm thinking what the heck is wrong with this boy. As he's barfing up the ice-cream you just bought him, he manages to keep it out of harms way. I'm really patting hard on his back now. You ask "Mary is Vicente ok?" I wasn't even sure what was happening myself.

As all this is going down his sweet-oh-so-loving big brothers couldn't help but to start laughing out loud and point at all the vomit just splashing on your front drive way. Of course I was sssssooooooo embarassed!!! When the coughing started we were all there, you, the girls, me and my boys making sure Vicente was ok. But when the vomiting started you quickly pointed and yelled out to the girls "Get in the house!" I was startled by the quick command but noticed the girls just stood there frozen and just staring at Vicente's continous splashes of throw-up.

So then I turn my attention to my ailing son and the laughter of his two amused brothers when you again yell to the girls "Get in the house!" I was startled again, then I started to think "What's the matter?" "Are we NOT to throw-up in his front drive-way?" Finally the girls make their way in the house and close the door.

By now I'm crying and embarassed and yelling at the boys to shut-up because my poor baby is throwing up and all my two bone-head sons could do is just laugh. All the while Vicente keeps his ice-cream high above his head and away from his mouth. I did'nt want to have too much of a potty mouth in your front yard. So all I said to my boys was "shut-up". You relieved my fears as to why you ordered the girls in the house so quickly. You said that they have a very quick gag reflex to anything gross. So just seeing Vicente throwing -up like that would have started a barfing disaster!! So of course I understood. Then the worse happened........

Vicente began having snot just ooze out of his nose!! AS HE WAS THROWING-UP!! Then of course his sweet-oh-so-loving-AND-CONCERNED-brothers just lost it. They didn't hold back. Of course I lost it too. Vicente still managed to hold on to that ice-cream keep it out of the way and throw up. By now his brothers were just knee slapping and out loud laughing AND pointing at the barfing and the snot-oozing out of his nose. I myself couldn't believe how much was coming out of that 4 year old.

I noticed you didn't know wether to join Alejandro and Santiago in the hysterics or clam up because you could see how nervous I was and mad at them. Then you ran over to get the water hose to wash down the mess. As you ran to get the hose I could see you laughing quietly to yourself.
And I was STILL trying to get the older siblings to shut-up.

As you came back with the hose I tried to commandeer it because I thought it's my sons vomit, and I have to clean it up. But you would'nt let me, seeing my desperation and the hysterical laughter of two older brothers watching their baby brother puke his ice-cream out all over your front drive-way. You know Raul, I could see you tried your hardest not to join the boys in the laughter but you couldn't help it. I noticed you did'nt know wether to lick YOUR ice-cream, laugh, or hose down the drive way!!

Finally after what seemed an eternity of simultaneous snot-oozing-throw-up, your drive way was washed cleaned as if it never happened and poor Vicente had to throw away his ice-cream because it melted away in his hand. And the two big brothers were STILL LAUGHING ALL THE WAY HOME!!!!

You know something Raul later when Ben came home Alejandro and Santiago were describing with such detail that day what happened that we all had to laugh in the end.

What made me treasure this sweet memory of you even more Raul was when Sandra later told me you tried to tell her what happened but could'nt finish a word or two of the story because you would BUST OUT laughing just thinking about it. About a month after this happened Sandra later told me again that you told her when you drive to work, you find yourself just thinking about that day and start laughing all over again!

All I could think of was those two older little creeps that are SUPPOSED to be good older brothers that just laughed all the way home.

Then I thought to myself if that gave you a fun memory of us, then good. I'm glad. Because I did notice that whenever we were at your house again for whatever reason, it's as if you were waiting with a smile for something to happen again.

My last fun memory of you is about a month befor you left us broken hearted....Ben and I miss you so much Raul.

The memory is that I was on my way to pick up the girls for school, as I was turning the corner my Vicente decides to ACTUALLY open the driver side sliding door. As I'm driving I hear the door bang open and I yell out the driver side window..."Close that damn door!" And there you were watching all that happen again and having a good morining chuckle again! :)

Mary Jane Sotelo
FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, CARPOOL BUDDY

May 26, 2007

They never fail who die in a great cause. -Byron, Lord

Deputy Gama -- Your dedication to the good of your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Deputy Gama -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

May 25, 2007

May God bless you and your family and keep them safe.

Sgt Thomas Meaney - Retired
Scarsdale Police Department NY

May 24, 2007

To the family of Deputy Raul Gama: My heart goes out to all of you. I knew Deputy Gama when he worked at Pico Station. He always had a smile on his face whenever I saw him. Now he will always be watching over us from above. I am sorry for your loss. He was a great person and an awesome Deputy.

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLL CALL ...

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 of us 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 awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep,
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though sometimes I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many 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 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."

Author Unknown

Former Civ. Volunteer Marilynn F. Greger
LASD

May 22, 2007

my sincere sympathy to you in your loss. know that many officers and their families across the nation are truly thinking of and praying for you, even though we've never met. grace and peace to you.

carla lyon, widow, asst. chief deputy keith lyon, knoxville, tn. eow 05.09.06

May 19, 2007

Daddy i know your gone now but you'll never be forgotten.It was like you were only here yesterday making sure we did our homework and tucking us into bed and saying goodnight.We all miss you a lot. We hope to stay strong for you. Oh, and Crystal won the election for Spirit, so she's our new spirit commissioner.We know your real proud of her. Anita has been keeping up her grades and mommy is tryin to get back on track. Abuelita, is getting taken care of by tuti,natalie,emily,lance, and us.Anyways we love you A LOT and we'll miss you all ways.i hope i make you proud.

Monica
Daughter

May 16, 2007

Thank you for your service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
CHP

May 16, 2007

Raul, it's been almost 2 weeks and I still can't believe it. I'm still waiting for you to walk in the door at our office and say "What's up dudes? What's the scam?" Brother, I want you to know that you will never be forgotten and that Chae, Chuke, Rich, Rod, and myself will watch out for Sandra and the kids. I told your girls that they just gained four uncles that will do anything for them. You rest now bro.
"Irish Blessing"
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Steve Blagg
Partner/ LASD CARGO CATs

May 14, 2007

GODSPEED BROTHER...

PATROLMAN #1141
RICHMOND PD (CA)

May 13, 2007

DEAR RAUL,

REST IN PEACE, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

FRIEND

May 13, 2007

IT'S BEEN A WEEK I STILL WISH IT WAS A LIE BUT IT'S NOT YOU ARE GONE WE MISS YOU I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU GOD BLESS THIS MAN HE WAS A GREAT PERSON IN THIS WORLD HE DID CHANGE ALOT OF PEOPLE LIFE

May 12, 2007

Thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

citizen, Wisconsin

May 11, 2007

Or respects to you and your family at this difficult time.
We are all friends and family no matter where in the World.

A Police Officer
City of London Police, England

May 10, 2007

Your a good man "Deputy". Why don't you rest up and the young'ns take it a while. From my heart I say, "Thanks" and God bless.

Darrell Cook Retired Police Tn.

May 9, 2007

I wish you God's Peace for your family, and rest assured your brothers in blue have it from here...

May 9, 2007

Raul (Compa),
Words can never reflect how I feel at this time. It's been awhile since we last had contact, but you and your family have always been in my thoughts and prayers. Now more than ever. You can rest assured that Sandra and the kids will always have an extended family here in Ontario. As Monica's Nino, I can promise you that. Rest in peace, Raul. Until we meet again. I Love you brother!!

Officer John Lopez, Ex LASD/ELA
Ontario Police Dept.

May 9, 2007

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Matthew 5:9

RIP Brother

Patrolman William Mays Jr. #428
Youngstown State University Police Department

May 9, 2007