Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tom, Your laughter and smile will truly be missed. No one will ever forget.. You and your family will be in our prayers. Rest in peace and Godspeed brother

p.o. jEFF oVCA
cHESTERFIELD pd

February 13, 2008

Thank you for your service to your country and to the people of Kirkwood. God Bless you and those that mourn for you.

Master Trooper Chris Bauer
Kansas Highway Patrol

February 13, 2008

Thank you for your service Ofcr. Ballman. Godspeed.

Robert
Albuquerque, NM

February 13, 2008

My thoughts are with you and your family! I understand you were an Explorer Advisor and I want to thank you for your work with the kids and they will always remember you too!

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Department

February 13, 2008

Tom was the Commander of my academy class (03-98) and a true hero to us all. I will never forget his smiling face or encouraging words. The common bond that we share will forever be remembered. Our class motto "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers ... For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother", means more now then ever. Rest in peace brother, you are gone but will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Kyle Dooley 265
Lake Saint Louis Police Department

February 13, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Ballman as well as the brotherhood of the Kirkwood Police Department. May you rest in eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department

February 12, 2008

Officer Ballman,
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother!

FTO Paul Sperandeo Ofc Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept. LA

February 12, 2008

I was telling a story about Tom a few months ago.. it ended with, "He was one of the best people I ever worked with."

I sit here at a total loss for words today.. but that was my thought two months ago, I don't even know what to think or say now.

I haven’t spoke to Tom for a few years and can still hear his laugh and see his smile.
I listened to taps today with his children crying, they did what we all wanted to and have been trained as adults not to do, cry out loud.. to his kids - thanks for making it okay for us to cry out loud too.
Please be kind to one another, and to his family my thoughts will always be with you - forever.
I wish there was something more we could do for you, but know we will always be here for you.
Ken

K Seghers
St Charles County

February 12, 2008

I had the honor of attending Officer Tom Ballman's funeral today. He was one of the five people murdered last week in the cowardice act at the city council meeting in Kirkwood. I never had the privilege of meeting him, however I wish I would have. Looking at his family, the hundreds of Law Enforcement officials today, as well as those citizens kind enough to stand on the side of the road, outside their homes and cars; it was easy to see that this man was one of great honor and respect.

Today I learned much about a man I had never met. I learned that he served his country as a US Marine. I learned that he left behind a wife and two small children. I learned that he was only 37.

Most of all I learned that he was the type of guy who gave. He gave to his family, his country, his community, and his church.

I would ask that all of your remember him and his family in your prayers, and strive to live your life with as much honor and decency as he did.

Rest in Peace Officer Ballman #282.

Sincerely,
P.O. Nathan Pinter #278

P.O. Pinter
Washington P.D.

February 12, 2008

Tom and I grew up in the same neighborhood as kids. His family and mine were close, attending the same church. Although he was a year or so younger than I, we routinely played together and spent time both in church and in the neighborhood. I hadn't seen him for many years, but when I heard of this tragedy it nearly floored me.
I will always remember Tom as a quiet but fiercly determined individual who was polite and corgial to those he did not know but a wonderful person and good friend to those who were close to him. My most heartfelt condolences to to his family in this time of mourning.

Dr. C. Johnson
Old Friend

February 12, 2008

Rest in Peace brother, know your sacrifice was not in vein. It is your brave actions that give us the freedom we sometimes take for granted. My heart goes out to your family, and brother and sister officers....

Sgt Randy Hudson
San Leandro Police Department

February 12, 2008

There is no language that provides words that can express the gravity of the losses of 2/7/08. Earlier in the day in Los Angeles, then later in the day in Kirkwood....

The world is at a loss, now, and each and every time we lose an officer in the line of duty.

To the families, friends, Department; My deepest condolences, my most sincer thoughts, my most heartfelt prayers go to you all.

May God hold you all near His Heart.....

Dave Niemeyer
LPM, J.C. Penney / West County

February 12, 2008

To the friends, family, and coworkers of Officer Ballman, please accept my sincere condolences. He was murdered simply because he carried a gun, not for who he was. He and Sergeant Biggs will be angels in blue watching over us as we continue on in the legacy they left behind.

God speed, Officer Ballman. God Bless those you had to leave behind.

Missouri State Patrol Lieutenant

February 12, 2008

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE FAMILY OF OFFICER TOM BALLMAN.
I DID NOT KNOW HIM BUT I AM SURE HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. AS A DAUGHTER OF AN OFFICER AND WIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER I KNOW IT IS REALLY HARD. I KNOW THAT THE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU AND THAT YOUR HUSBAND AND DAD ARE WITH YOU TOO. THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR BRAVE DEDICATION. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE TRULY HEROES.

DAUGHTER OF AN OFFICER
ST LOUIS, MO

February 12, 2008

Officer Ballman,

Thank your for your service to your community, and to your Explorers. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Explorer Post 301 would also like to extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to the Ballman family, the Kirkwood Police Department, and Explorer Post 9131.

Det. C. Tyson
Prince George's County, MD Police

February 12, 2008

Officer Ballman you are a hero. Thank you for being willing to serve your fellowman. May God bless you, your family, and the Kirkland Police Department. May the Lord grant your loved ones the strength to endure during this difficult time. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

February 12, 2008

Tom,
Even though I never personelly know you, I feel I have. As a fellow Officer , and an Explorer Post Advisor, I want to thank you for your commitment,to your family, Community, and to the youths in your Explorer program you have mentored.

God Bless.

POLICE OFFICER BILL LANG
COLUMBUS OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 12, 2008

My heart goes out to all of Officer Ballman's family, friends and co-workers. I've lost two dear friends this way, so I know the heart break you are feeling. My prayers are with all of you. God Bless.

Retired Detective Peggy Cassel-Covey
Coloado Springs Police Department

February 12, 2008

God speed Brother... We honor and commend your sacrafice!!!

#101
EPPD MN

February 12, 2008

Rest in Peace Officer Ballman. You will be missed but never forgotten. Keep the streets of heaven safe. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

February 12, 2008

'Why is it that when memories are happening, you don't know that they are going to be memories, so you don't get to appreciate them until it's too late'.

We are going to put you to rest today Tom. By the time this is posted we will be putting Bill to rest also. Show him the way.

Lt. Cliff Pope
Kirkwood Police Department

February 12, 2008

Officer Ballman was a great officer in kirkwood. He loved working with the Kirkwood Police Explorers, he was one of their advisors. He also worked with all others explorers from all over and trained with them. Officer Ballman was my level 1 leader at the academy when i went, he was real funny all the time and always had that smile on his face. I loved it when he did his cadence and when he made us do yoda's it was so fun. Well Officers Ballman will greatly be missed but never forgotten. My condolences go out to his family and friends i am very sorry but dont forget he will never be gone he will be with us every second in our hearts. I will never forget you T. Balls i really wish you were here till this day but i know your in a good place now, and i know i will meet up with you again some day.
R.I.P
T. Balls
september 29, 1970 - February 7, 2008

Police Explorer S. Colombo 9269
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

February 12, 2008

My Brother

Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.

He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what

they represent.

He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his

community and to his country.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.

He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.

He was competent, trained, and professional.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became

frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.

He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he

never wavered.

He stood by and for his fellow officers.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He longed for his family during the long hours.

He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely

weekends,holidays and midnights when they were apart.

He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling

and prayed they would understand.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the

people he served.

He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to

be the best he could be.

He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.



He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.



He was a cop, he was my brother.

Deputy

February 12, 2008

Thank you for your brave service

PO MICHAEL CONNOLLY
Boston Police Department

February 11, 2008

May God bless you and your family. Our prayters are with your family.

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

Missouri Deputy Sheriffs' Assoc
MDSA

February 11, 2008