Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Birthday, DAD ..... it's been kind of a strange day-I usually talk to you on your bday and send a card and email...there's an empty feeling now. I know you are probably celebrating up there, looking down and I hope you could hear me wishing you a happy birthday this morning...I can't believe its been 4 1/2 months now, and although time flies, it seems like it's been forever since you were taken from us. I wish I could understand why...but I guess that's a question that will never be answered....I love and miss you very much... xoxoxox

your "pumpkin"

Stacey (Habelt) Marckese
daughter

October 1, 2007

WELL I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING OVER US UP THERE. ON 09-11-07 WE HAD ANTOHER BAD DAY IN HENDERSON COUNTY. I KNOW NOW THERE ARE ANGELS IN HEAVEN. KEEP AN EYE ON US UNTIL WE ALL CAN BE TOGETHER AGAIN.

ONE OF YOUR FORMER DISPATCHERS

September 19, 2007

It's been almost three months since you and Tony were taken from us. There is not a day that goes by that the both of you don't cross my mind. I'm pretty sure everyone else at the office says the same thing. You are missed dearly and we will never forget your sacrifice. You made such a lasting impression on our department. Thank You for being such a great friend. Until we meet again.

Brad Gray #531
Henderson County S.O. ,Texas

August 12, 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

August 9, 2007

i just want to say that you continue to be in my thoughts. paul i remember the phone call with some words of encouragement when i was still feeling unsure about myself in this job and it really meant a lot to me and it still does.. maybe even more so than before. i was new, no one knew me all that well but no questions asked you excepted me and were so freindly from day one, its funny how a simple sentence or two can really affect someone.. i thank you so much for that.. i really miss hearing, "kim, this is habelt..."
nita I love you and miss you up here, everything I know is because of you and i want you to know that. thank you for that. you are a good soul and a dear freind. be strong and know that i and so many others are here for you - kim pochobradsky

Kim, Hcso communications
co-worker/freind

August 7, 2007

I FIRST MET PAUL WHEN HE CAME TO PATROL AND WE TRAINED TOGETHER.WE BECAME FRIENDS AND ATE LUNCH TOGETHER EVERY DAY. PAUL WAS A PROFFESSIONAL,HARD WORKING OFFICER. PAUL I MISS YOU A LOT. MAY GOD KEEP YOU.

DEPUTY DAVID HARRIS III
HCSO FRIEND

July 27, 2007

It has been two months since you and Tony were taken away from us and both of you are still sorely missed. We had not spoken much lately but I remember when I was in Tool and would catch you outside and we would talk. I remember you talking about the incident in California and as you descibed it talking about it was "therapy". I think about you almost every day when I step out of my garage. I see the spot along the fence where you were standing that day when I held one of your granddaughters on the other side of the fence so that a little girl from California could experience feeding a 2100 pound bull out of her hand while on vacation to see her grandfather in Texas. I remember a day in October last year when I spoke to Nita on the phone after coming back from a Reno vacation and commented to her about knowing now why "Californians are the way they are" after seeing Lake Tahoe for myself. You came to us from beautiful country but it is not near as beautiful as where you are now my friend.

Don W. Covey
ex Tool, Malakoff, Caney City PD's

July 19, 2007

With great sympathy we send our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Habelt.

May you know that we so sincerely appreciate your dedicated forty-three years of service protecting us all. May justice be leveled against your assailant and may you find the peace you are so well deserved.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Respectfully submitted on behalf of my department,

Officer Matthew Lewek
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

July 8, 2007

You were the example and I pray for Nita, Chris, and your entire family. Seeing the love and respect paid to you and Tony was overwhelming and I can only say that I am a better man for knowing someone like you. God Speed and watch over heaven till we all come home.

Tracy
Former Sergeant HCSO

July 8, 2007

Paul is such a wonderful person that I am so glad I had a chance to get to know. I dont know why but his opinion of me really mattered to me. My memories of Paul are not the memories that most have of him but they are still great memories,ill share:The first time I had dinner with Nita and Paul, he told me that he was so proud of me and was so glad i was there. He made me feel like family. When he told me he was proud of me I think I couldve fainted. Paul and Nita were like second parents to me, and Nita being my good friend ,knew so much about me and they would always warn me before I made a decision. Of course they were right and I was wrong.lol. That was a great moment for me. When I am visiting I still catch myself looking at the back door expecting to see Paul walk through the back door with his cutoff shorts and his wine t-shirt on. Paul you are missed
so much and I hope I still can make you proud !!!
Jenny
By the way,Paul we are trying our best to take care of Nita for you.

jenny
friend

June 29, 2007

to all of those who have expressed their thoughts,prayers and support, we the family of paul steven habelt, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. the tremendous support, from the mail, cards, telephone or e-mail have made such an impact on the family, it is so overwhelming. we are trying to move on with paul in our hearts and memory. we have had a bad month with not only paul and tony passing but my sister's boyfriend also passed away on june 18th and was buried in houston on june 23rd. only 1 month from the burial of paul. he will also be missed. this has been a tough month for the family but with god's help we will get through it. i have only thanked a few of the people but slowly i am working on thanking everyone for the support they have given. i will always love him and i miss him every day. not a day goes by that i do not think about him and wish he was here with me. i miss talking with him and holding his hand. now all i have is a picture to kiss and the thoughts of out lives in my mind. our live were dissrupted because of what happened. so many changes that have to be made because of this. so many decissions to be made because of this senseless act of violence. i did attended the arraignment on 06/27/2007 and had been informed that he was going to pled "not guilty" prior to the arrignment but still it hurt so deeply to see him and to hear the term "not guilty" on all charges knowing that paul and tony were not there and he was. how could he say he was not guilty when he was the one shooting the rifle. only god will make sure justice is done and that is what i am waiting for. may god protect over paul and tony and kevin in his healing period. i love you paul and i miss you dearly. you will always be in my heart and my thoughts and i will talk with you until i see you again to continue our life together where we left off. kevin you are in my prayers and i will keep in touch with you and alisha. my thoughts and prayers are with pat and the ogburn family. we will survive this and justice will prevail.

your loving wife
who misses you dearly and loves
you with all of her heart (nmw)
nita

communication officer
henderson co so

June 28, 2007

Deputy Habelt,
I did not know you. However when I began viewing your incident, I noticed you had 43 years experience in law enforcement. I've been in this dangerous profession for a little while. However, it is a stressful job and a dangerous job. A person does not work in law enforcement for 43 years for the money. You do it for the love and the desire to help. I want to thank you for your service to your community, state and country. You can rest easy now. You've done your time, we'll take it from here. Rest in peace and may god bless your family.

Detective
Kentucky State Police

June 22, 2007

Paul was not only a father to me but a friend as well. He was my inspiration to do what I do. I love and miss him so much. The last thing he told me was that he was proud of me. I miss you paul you are in my every thought. I hope I can continue to make you proud as you watch over us. I love you old man.

Deputy Chris Stanbery
HCSO

June 21, 2007

I LOVE YOU DAD. YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND THOUGHTS, AS YOU ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THIS VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD.

THANK YOU, CHRISTOPHER PAUL HABELT

Christopher Paul Habelt
Son

June 15, 2007

Paul worked in our squad and will be sorely missed by all of us. Paul has gone to a better place. May god bless and keep him.

Sgt. Marvin Goldberg
Oakland California P.D.

June 6, 2007

Paul, I will miss you very much. You gave us many laughs with your radio traffic and when you were my SGT I was scared to death of your red pen. Thanks for your knowledge, patience and friendship.

ASST. CHIEF OF POLICE JAMES P. LEHMAN
CHANDLER POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 5, 2007

Paul, I was with you 34 years ago when you were shot on Ski Run Blvd in South Lake Tahoe,CA. You were a hell of a Cop then and are a hell of a Cop Now. May God Bless you and you are in our hearts. Our kids used to play together and your untimely passing breaks my heart. Who would ever thought a Good Cop could be shot twice in a lifetime. I know I speak from other Officers from South Lake Tahoe Police Department and Ed Dorado County Sheriff's Department is saying "God Bless" 10-10 End of Watch.

Police Officer Bob Reed (Retired)
South Lake Thaoe Police Department

June 3, 2007

BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, BUT ALWAYS MISSED. "HERO'S ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN". YOU ARE A HERO!

PATROLMAN RUSTARK
UPLAND POLICE

May 31, 2007

Paul,
You will be missed so much. You were always there for anyone that needed you. You were a wonderful person and always had a smile on your face and a kind word to say. I enjoyed talking to you everytime I saw you. Thank you for being who you were and doing what you did. Your family is in our prayers everyday. We love and miss you.

Wife of HCSO Deputy

May 30, 2007

Even though I have only been a resident of Henderson County a few years and did not know Deputy Habelt personally, I would like to express my gratitude for him and for men and women like him who have dedicated thier lives to serve and protect our community, and to his family my thoughts and prayers are with you daily.

Janie Prestridge, Athens, Tx.
A grateful citizen of Henderson Co.

May 30, 2007

Paul Habelt is one of the most professional and knowledgable officers I have ever met. He was a great friend, partner, and father figure. He taught me a great deal about law enforcement and life as a whole. He was always the same gentle person whether he was correcting your reports with a red pen, or telling you what a good job you did. Paul, I wish I would have taken an animal cracker or two when you offered or took you up on that lunch date. Even now, I still learn from you. I will take the time to spend more time with friends and family. You have forever impacted my life and I will never forget all you have done for me and others. Someday, I will see you and Tony, we will once again shake hands, and then we will eat that pack of animal crackers. Until then, God Speed 515!! You are forever in my heart.

Denny
Henderson County Sheriff's Department

May 29, 2007

We thank you for the ultimate sacrifice, for our county citizens prtection. God bless Mr. Habelt's family and friends, our prayers are with you all.
Thank you,
John and Tina Moore
Brownsboro, TX

John & Tina Moore
Henderson County Citizens

May 29, 2007

Surely the angels must be rejoicing that such a noble man as yourself is among them now. My husband is also a investigator, and puts his life on the line daily to see that justice is done. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends left behind. Please know that your gaurdian angel has merely traded in his post on earth for one in heaven.

Toni Cole
wife of Sgt Investigator Kelly Cole/Wood Co Sherrif's Dept

May 29, 2007

my prayers and sympathy go out to allof you and your fasmily.ITS TERRIBLE WHEN AN OFFICER FACES DEATH EVERY DAY, PROPTECTING CITIZENS. I HOPE THE FOLKD IN HENDERSON COUNTY KNOW HOW BLESSED THEY ARE TO HAVE YOIUY ALL.
MY HUSBAND WAS RAISED AT TRINIDAD, ITS SORTA HOME TO ME.
MY PRAYERS WILL BE WITHG YOIUY ALL.

CANDYE NALL, RET VOL FIRE DEPT DISPATCH
HUNTINGTON VOL FIRE DEPT

May 29, 2007

There are so many words to describe Paul. He was more than a co-worker, he was a father figure. He taught me so much, about so many different things. He was truly an inspiration. I have been blessed to have known such an admirable man. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Brad Gray #531-Deputy Sheriff
Henderson County Sheriff's Department

May 28, 2007