Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and friends of Master Trooper David Rich:
I wish to extend my sympathy and sorrow for a fellow State Employee who put his life on the line to help a stranded motorist.
David Rich is a true hero in every sence of the word. His selfless sacrifice is a testiment to the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect and serve.
You will never be forgotten may your family rejoice in the life that they shared and know that you are with St. Michael now.
Rest in peace Troop.

Lt. R. Post IDOC@ISP

Lt. Robert L. Post Jr
Indiana Department Of Correction

July 7, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and Indiana State Police. May the wings of Angels wrap around you and comfort you in this time of sorrow. It saddens me deeply we have lost another of our Law Enforcement Family. Master Trooper Rich, Rest in Peace.

Linda D.
Dispatcher, Wyoming Highway Patrol

July 7, 2007

Blessings to you and your family...may God lay his blessings upon each of them and allow you to rest in peace....18 years of service....thank you for your dedication to making this country and your community safer. To some it seems that the thin blue line is getting thinner....I disagree.....it is getting stronger....and darker, because of officers like you.
May God Bless

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Pct 2

July 7, 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 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 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 judgment 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."

Rest in peace brother we'll take the watch from here.

The Officers of the Sweetser Police Department
Sweetser, Indiana

Sergeant Travis Hueston
Sweetser Police Department

July 7, 2007

Your service speaks volumes for helping your fellow citizens. Your sacrafice will not be forgotten. My heart and prayers goes out to you, your family, and your ISP brothers and sisters. You will never walk alone. May god bless you and keep you.

Communictions Officer and Wife of ISP
Floyd County Sheriff's Department, IN

July 7, 2007

RIP brother.... Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and department.

SGT Sean Ronan
Chicago P.D.

July 7, 2007

Trooper Rich,
Thank you for your many years of Law Enforcement service. To your family I say, you should live knowing that Trooper Rich died a HERO serving and protecting this country and his community. Thank you!
Rest in Peace Brother......we'll take it from here.

Sgt Joshua Nyce
Broward Sheriff's Office

July 7, 2007

May angels lead you home..... R.I.P. brother

Deputy Sheriff
L.A.S.D.

July 7, 2007

God bless you and your family, and all of the officers who put their lives on the line each and every day for people they do not know. Words can not express the sorrow.

Mike
just a fellow traveler

July 7, 2007

Dave,
It seems that bad guys Have dealt us a great blow by taking you away from us. I was fortunate enough to have known and work with you. You were a kind and generous man a great trooper. You will be missed by all. I think I can speak for most trooper in the ISP family when I say we will get up off our knees to stand tall. We will dig in a little deeper and push back harder. We will fight and defend those who cannot fight for themselves. And maybe, in doing so we can just begin to honor your sacrifice and find peace ourselves. We will continue the fight you started 18 years ago when you started your career and will promise above all to never give up! Rest peacefully sir, your tour is over. We will take it from here Dave.

To your family:
I can only offer you my prayers that peace will find you when the pain and sorrow subsides. God Bless

Trooper Jason Girt
Indiana State Police D 51

July 7, 2007

Rest in peace brother, your job is done. We'll take it from here. God speed.

Deputy Recruit R. S. Mackey
El Paso County Sheriff-Colorado Springs

July 7, 2007

God bless you and keep you. You have served your community and your profession with honor. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.

Captain Gary Graham (RET)
Denver Police Department

July 7, 2007

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE...
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

July 7, 2007

Rest in peace Trooper Rich...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan

July 7, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with Master Trooper David Rich's family, friends, and his brothers and sisters currently serving with the Indiana State Police. In these times of mourning, we must not remember how he died but rather, how he lived his life. Rest in peace, Troop.

TROOPER
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE

July 7, 2007

Dave
The last few days have been some of the hardest days in my life. I can not express enough how much you will be missed by us at Peru. You never wanted anyone to go out of their way for you but you were always one of the first to go out of your way to help others. I will always remember your dedication to your family and the ISP. I always looked forward to seeing your most recent pictures of the kids.(I knew you always had them with you)

You went out every day and put your life on the line as do many others to serve and protect. You are a true hero and you always will be. My heart goes out to Connie and the kids, Bob, Jack and Linda and the rest of the family. Thoughts and prayers..........

Jodie Miller, Peru District Secretary
ISP and wife of Tpr. Chris Miller

July 7, 2007

Uncle David was an amazing man. Our whole family loved him so much and this is such a terrible loss. You never think that these things will happen to you, but unfortunately, it did happen. We will always remember how great he was to us and I think everyone can agree when I say that he was truly a hero.

Emily Rich

July 7, 2007

Master Trooper David Rich, you are a true hero and will be missed by all of us in the profession. May God bless and keep your wife and children during this time of sorrow.

Retired Major Dennis Wooten
Huntsville Police Department, AL

July 7, 2007

G-d bless you and your loved ones.

July 7, 2007

God bless you and your family.You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.(Matthew 5:9)

TFC C.A.Cuddington #216
Georgia State Patrol

July 7, 2007

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

July 7, 2007

May God comfort your family and the men and women of the Indiana State Police. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Cpl. Jason W. Ginn
Mississippi Highway Patrol

July 7, 2007

Rest in peace brother. Just one more example to show the "public" that nothing about our job is routine or safe. May your fellow troopers now take over the watch of your wife and children.

Sr. Tpr. D. P. White
West Virginia State Police

July 7, 2007

May god bless you, and your family

Riverdale Police

July 7, 2007

we send our deepest sympathy to the rich family we are sorry to hear of davids passing we will keep you all in our prayers

danny hixenbaugh(RET ISP)&becca
ret indiana state police

July 7, 2007