Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Gilstrap, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your service.

Shelly
Citizen

October 10, 2008

Rest in peace brother! Our world has lost a hero. May God's angels wrap their wings around David and comfort his family.

SGT. Michael Paciorek
Hampshire County Deputy Sheriff

October 10, 2008

Thank you Deputy Gilstrap for your service and sacrifice, you are a HERO, and will never be forgotten.. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends today and always... Rest in Peace Sir..

Joyce
Sister of Ofc. John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994 Henrico PD Virginia

October 10, 2008

God bless you, brother. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.

Captain Gary Graham (RET)
Denver Police Department

October 10, 2008

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Deputy Gilstrap and the Oconee County Sheriffs Department. God Speed.

Joe Zachmann

October 10, 2008

Thoughts and prayers are with your family and your agency. RIP Brother in Blue.

Police Officer D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

October 10, 2008

Rest in Peace Sir........................

Officer Thomas Wiederhold
Fort Worth Texas Police

October 10, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones at this very difficult time. May your dedication and sacrifice always be remembered.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

October 10, 2008

When God Made Peace Officers
Unknown Author
When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one"

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order?" A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform."

He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses and testify in court the next day."

He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems." said the Lord, "It's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through the bulge in a pocket before he asks, 'May I see what's in there sir?' (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of the head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in the front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say. 'You'll be all right ma'am.' When he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't" said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident, and feed a family of five on a civil service pay check."

The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet." said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crime scenes; recite Miranda warnings in his sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop...and still keeps its sense of humor."

"This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell; coax a confession from a child abuser; comfort a murder victim's family; and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her fingers across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak." She pronounced. "I told you that you are trying to put to much in this model."
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions; for fallen comrades; for commitment to that funny piece of metal called his badge; for justice."
"You're a genius." said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there." he said.
We will be praying for all who knew DS Gilstrap during these dark times
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Canon City, CO

Marilyn Robinson
KWLF internet radio

October 10, 2008

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

October 10, 2008

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

October 10, 2008

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your officer. It is never easy to lay one of your own to rest. Ya'll are in my thoughts and prayers.

Melissa Bollinger
Hall County Sheriff's Office

October 10, 2008

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff David Gilstrap~ you're in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. May you find comfort and support with those around you.
God bless you and rest in peace, Deputy Sheriff Gilstrap.

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of a fallen MI P.O. eow 2004

October 10, 2008

I did not know you personally, but I saw you every day. Thank you for your service. You did your job well.

J.Ashley
Georgia State Patrol

October 10, 2008

THANK, YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY.........YOUR SIS IN BLUE.........

PFC/DIST.IV/OXON HILL
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND

October 10, 2008

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff David Gilstrap, and the Oconee County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Deputy Gilstrap, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

October 10, 2008

As someone who grew up in Oconee County and is also a LEO my deepest sympathy to your fellow deputies as well as your family. God Speed my brother.

Agent Steven Fowler
Henry County Police Dept.
CAGE Unit

Agent Steven Fowler
Henry County Police Dept.

October 10, 2008

Thank you for providing your service to the community. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family in the coming days, months and years. Your loss will be felt forever, and you will remain a HERO in our hearts. Rest in peace, my brother!

DB, Lieutenant
Federal Bureau of Prisons

October 10, 2008

Rest In Peace Brother,

Deputy John Latour
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

October 10, 2008