Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R.I.P. Officer Ballman

Patrol Officer
Houston, TX

February 8, 2008

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Officer Ballman, as well as the Kirkwood Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, co-workers as well as the entire Kirkwood community. Linda Zwick

Linda Zwick

February 8, 2008

Officer Ballman, you and your family are in our hearts and prayers. You know have the rest you deserve.

Officer Brian Reeves
Springfield MO Police Department

February 8, 2008

Brother,
You will never be forgotten.

Chris Gilyon
St. Louis County Police Department

February 8, 2008

Godspeed Brother...Go in Peace

Det. R. Murphy

February 8, 2008

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.
-By LTC (RET) Dave Grossman

Officer Ballman lived and died as a warrior. God bless him and his family. His presence and sacrifice saved many lives not only last night but throughout his career.

Officer Eric Klumpp
Granite City Police Department

February 8, 2008

Officer Ballman, during your tour of duty you have served your city and community with honor and dignity, we will carry on from here. To the family of Officer Ballman you all are in our thoughts and prayers. You are now part of a much larger family that will be by your sides always. To the men and women of the Kirkwood Police Department hold your heads high during these difficult times. Stay safe. God Speed Brother

Detective First Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC/Homicide Branch

February 8, 2008

You've fought the noble fight and now God has called you home. Return to Him in honor, my brother, and rest forever in peace. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice. You are my Hero!

Jeff
Former GPD Officer

February 8, 2008

I am saddened to hear of the loss of Officer Ballman. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in blue who have suffered this loss.
Rest now brother, you've earned it.

Officer Paul Deeb
Peoria, IL Police Department

February 8, 2008

my deepest thoughts go to you,your family and fellow officers.thanks for keeping this world safer! rest in peace! from belgium(europe)

francky wygers

February 8, 2008

Sincere condolences to the family, friends, and department of Police Officer Tom Ballman. May he rest in eternal peace, and may God bless and keep you all.

Leo J. Kennerson #2814
RETIRED TROOPER, NYSP

February 8, 2008

What a tragic thing to happen to two dedicated officers. My most profound and heartfelt sympathies to the families of these two fine public servants. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as well as the fellow officers who must carry on through this most heartbreaking of times. God Bless.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery Mayo Jr. STPSO Covington, La.

February 8, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother for now you are among the finest of the fine and I'm sure were welcomed into the fold with open arms. We are grateful for your service, faithfulness and dedication to duty. May God Bless and comfort your loved ones.

Bob Johnson Blue Knights VA-VI
U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)

February 8, 2008

My condolences for the families of the fallen officers, and the citizens of Kirkwood. Our prayers are with you.

Off Patrick Hayes
Varnell,GA Police Dept

February 8, 2008

Officer Ballman, you took the oath to protect and serve. You went to work and made the citizens of this great country much safer. Yesterday, the nightmare of the job came true, you gave the ultimate sacrifice. You and your family and friends are in my prayers. May you rest in peace, we have got it from here brother...
Detective Michael J. Saxe Retired/Disabled
Co-Worker-Survivor 9/11/2001

Detective Michael J. Saxe Retired/Disabl
NYPD

February 8, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and department. Rest in peace.

Wife of a Brother in Blue
Virginia Beach, VA

February 8, 2008

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE OFFICER BALLMAN.PRAYS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND THE OFFICERS OF KIRWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OFFICER JEFF SCHENK
LOCKPORT PARK POLICE

February 8, 2008

Tom and my husband Brian Sanders were good friends growing up and in High School. They played in the High School band together. Brian really enjoyed Tom's friendship. They kept in contact minimally through the years, but servicemen are always kept in our hearts.

We are sorry for your loss. Tom is an honorable man, father and husband. God Bless.

Brian and Trudi Sanders
Childhood friend/ High School Friend

February 8, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Officer Ballman and members of the Kirkwood Police Department in this difficult time. Godspeed Brother!

Mark Schilli
DEA-St. Louis

February 8, 2008

There will never be anything that can be said or done to ease the pain of the loss of this hero. I offer my prayers today and always for his family and friends who will never recover completely from his absence. I'm sorry, but I'm very thankful for Officer Ballman and those like him who protect and defend those of us unable or unwilling to lead such an extraordinary life.

rw
former St. Louis resident
avondale, AZ

February 8, 2008

You both served your community with honor. Rest in peace.

Sgt. Mike Toedebusch
O'Fallon, MO PD

February 8, 2008

"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

February 8, 2008

My heart goes out to the Ballman Family. Words can not even explain how horrible I feel for all the families that have lost a loved one in this horrible incident. May God and Sgt. Mac take them in their arms and give them a warm welcome. May God watch over all of us as we all go through another horrible time in our life. Rest in Peace my brother, Rest in Peace. You are a HERO!

Aimee Brand
Wife of KWPD Officer Tim Brand

February 8, 2008

MAY OUR PRAYERS BRING COMFORT TO OFFICER BALLMAN, HIS FAMILY AND THE KIRKWOOD PD FOR THE LOSE OF THESE HEROES.

GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHER IN BLUE.

SGT RUTILO QUEZADA
SMITH COUNTY SHERIFF - TYLER, TX

February 8, 2008

Tom was one of my best friends growing up. I appreciated his warm, gentle nature and his likeability - everybody loved him! He was always surrounded by friends and he was always smiling, laughing and clowing around. I admire him for his service to our country as a United States Marine and his choice as a public servant as a Kirkwood Police Officer! He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him!!!

Brian Sanders

February 8, 2008