Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Sanders Rest in Peace.

C.O. Stephen D. Celestino
Westchester County Dept. of Correction, NY

December 16, 2008

My prayers go out to Mrs. Sanders, the children, family, friends and coworkers of Officer Sanders, may God be with you and guide you all through these dark and troubling times. Another hero called home to help patrol the streets above.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

December 16, 2008

God bless you brother.

Trooper
North Carolina State Highway Patrol

December 16, 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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 16, 2008

Our prayers are with the family of Officer Sanders. Such a sad turn of events. This too will pass...
Chaplain Tom

Chaplain Tom Frederick
Hampton Police Division

December 16, 2008

Rest in Peace my Brother, God Bless you, your Family and your Dept.

OFFICER BOB SWOPE #5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT.OHIO

December 16, 2008

I pray for the family and friends of Officer Sanders. I, unfortunately, know first hand what you are going through. Please know you are not alone and that you have an entire family of blue around you.

Officer Sanders you are a hero now and always.

PD wife

December 16, 2008

My prayers are with your family, friends, & Agency. May you sleep easy with God, Joseph. We thank you for your Service, Sir. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Sr. Corporal Trey Pellizzari
Texas Dept of Public Safety/Commercial Vehicle Enforcement--Rockwall

December 16, 2008

Officer Sanders, My thoughts are with your family at this time. I hope your children will read all these reflections and know that law enforcement officers around the world are mourning their loss. God Bless your family.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

December 16, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless your family with peace and comfort during this most difficult time.

Officer
CHP

December 16, 2008

To the family of Officer Sanders,
Know that Officer Sanders is with god now and he will always be watching over you.He died a hero and he will never be forgotten.God bless you all.

Andrea

December 16, 2008

Officer Sanders,

Thank you sir for your service. America lost another hero and Heaven gained another angel. I know my son met you when you arrived.
To the family, please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss. I know there are no words to take away your pain and hurt, I'm walking down the same path in life as you. My son also was killed in the line of duty three months ago. Please know your not alone, we're all here for you twenty four seven.
with deepest respect,
Kim Weigand
Mom of Sgt. Michael C. Weigand
E.O.W. 9/14/2008

kim Weigand

December 16, 2008

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

Shelly
Citizen

December 16, 2008

We have lost a true hero. Off. Sanders, not only fought our war at home, had returned from Iraq unharamed. I know Off. Sanders is now fighting our war in heaven. God rest and God speed Off. Sanders. We will take it from here.

Officer George
Long Beach Police Department, CA

December 16, 2008

RIP Brother....

Sgt Sean Ronan
Chicago P.D.

December 16, 2008

There are no words that can bring peace to your family at a time like this. You will be missed but never forgotten. We will pick up where you left off and carry the torch to the finish line. Rest in peace brother.

Senior Trooper Frank Garcia
LA State Police

December 16, 2008

Rest in peace, brother.

Officer R. Law
Rocklin PD

December 16, 2008

God bless Ofcr. Sanders, his family and all of his brothers and sisters from the CHP. You will not be forgotten....

Ofcr. G. Marumoto
Anaheim PD

December 16, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother, Thank you for your due diligence in the fraternity and may the Peace of the Lord be with you and your families (LEO's, family and friends).

Yours fraternally,

Bruce

Fmr Patrolman
Palos Park, IL P.D.

December 16, 2008

GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE.
BELMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT NEW JERSEY

BELMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEW JERSEY

December 16, 2008

may god welcome you in open arms. guard the gates well in your new department. god bless to your family and may he keep a watchful eye on your children.

fellow officer
texas

December 16, 2008

"rather lay down my life, than swerve from the path of duty"
you lived up to your oath Joseph, I hope I can make you proud one day, it is because of officers like you, that I want to be a police officer and why I applied to the CHP, rest in peace

CHP Applicant

December 16, 2008

May you rest safe in the Arms of The Lord and may He comfort and strengthen your loved ones, friends and brother/sister officers. God Bless.

Anonymous

December 16, 2008

Once again another worthy brother has transfered into Gods Police Department in heaven joining with all our brothers and sisters who have served Gods children with dignity, grace, honor and integrity. As you now meet and work with all our brothers and sisters who are with you know they are all heroic as you are and that god has selected the elite of all. Rest assured that your brothers and sisters left behind will care for and tend to your family and you will never be forgotted by those you have left behind. Rest in peace and may God bless you and all your family.
In Christ, Tom Bradley Arizona State Chaplain FOP

Tom Bradley, Retired
Phoenix AZ PD

December 16, 2008

I send this message with a heavy heart, and sorry. My son knew CHP Officer Sanders as they went to the CHP Academy together. I with my son Joshua Rodriguez CHP grive for the loss of such a fine man and not only a CHP Officer but a US Marine. God Bless CHP Sanders and his family and all CHP Officers who put there lives on the line every day for the citizens of California. I will contribute to any fund that CHP set's up to help the family of this fallen hero.

Amado Rodriguez,Hm1/USN/Ret
US Navy Retired corpsmen

December 16, 2008