Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God bless your family and supporters. You fought the good fight. Thank you for giving "all"

Jessica- fiance of the blue

January 8, 2009

Rest in Peace Mark.

Lieutenant Charlie Johnson, Retired
Potter County Sheriff Office

January 8, 2009

Amarillo lost a Great Police Officer. I first met Mark while at West Texas A&M. I worked with him at Randall Co and then worked several cases with him as an Agent with the TABC while stationed in Amarillo. He was a great officer with a kind heart. Mark, You will be missed and thank you so much for your service. You gave all and that will not be forgotten.

Agent Geoffery Weise
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

January 7, 2009

Officer Simmons,

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

December 31, 2008

May God's grace sustain you, May His arms hold you during this very sad time. My deepest sympathy to each of you who knew, loved and worked with Officer Simmons. My prayers are with you.
Officer Simmons, Thank you for your service to your country, you will be missed but never forgotten, as our Hero's live forever in our hearts.

Ohio
summit county

Anonymous

December 31, 2008

Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace- We'll take it from here.

Officer
Cumberland County, PA

December 30, 2008

I am sorry that you were injured in such a way. Amarillo has lost another warrior. Thank you for your service to your state. I will pray for you, your family and your department.

Criminal Investigator Matthew Blackstock
TYC Office of Inspector General

December 30, 2008

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, 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 tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got 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 an unmanly tear.
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 often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

R.I.P. my brother in blue.

Terry

Motor Officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, Tx.

December 29, 2008

May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

December 28, 2008

Rest in peace Officer Simmons...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan

December 28, 2008

Thank you MARK for your service , I will keep you in my pray's along with your Family. GOD'S SPEED.

P/O
Philadelphia

December 27, 2008

I would like to thank everyone who helped with the funeral of our Officer Mark Simmons. I would also like to thank everyone who has left condolences and words of encouragement to his sisters and brothers in blue here in Amarillo. There is never a good time to say good-bye to someone, but it made it a little harder to say good-bye during the holidays. God bless his family and little girls. I hope they know we will ALWAYS be here for them.

Sgt. Perkins
Amarillo PD

December 26, 2008

As a former Amarillo resident, I wanted to express my deepest condolences to the Office Simmons family. I am truly sorry for your loss. May you someday find peace in your heart.

Erin Gibson
Wife of a CSPD Officer

December 24, 2008

I praise God for this officer's time and service and pray for the peace to cover the family. In Jesus name. Amen.

Lt. Gary Langston
Choctaw Nation Tribal Police

December 24, 2008

Dear Family, Friends, and Co-Workers of Police Officer Mark Simmons,

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of Police Officer Mark Simmons. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support during this very difficult time. We know that sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement for support. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Police Officer Mark Simmons is a hero.

Respectfully,

Alissa Scott
Widow of Beryl Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02

Co-Founder of Survivor Help Network

Anonymous

December 24, 2008

Thank you for your service. You will be remembered as a Hero that made our streets safer. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

December 24, 2008

Even though I am seeing this from Eastern Tennessee, I still remember all of the years as a young kid growing up in Amarillo. I lived there from during the 70 and earley 80s. I remember always wanting to grow up and go to work for Amarillo Police Department. I remember what happen to Officer McQuire, Officer Miller & Sgt. Mitchell which you would think would be enough to not make you be a Police Officer. However it had to opposite effect on me. My family moved to Tennessee and I finished school went into the Marine Corps Reserves and have been a Police officer for 15 years. I have always thought of Amarillo City Police Department as a very Professional place. I just wanted to say to Officer Mark Simmons Family & Friends that I pray for God to Place a Hedge of Protection around all of them and to help them during these times. Officer Simmons has made all of us safer as we now have another brother in blue up above watching out for us. Thanks for you Service Sir & Semper Fi.

Sergeant John S. Conrad Jr.
Dandridge Police Dept TN.

December 23, 2008

Ret in peace brother. You will be missed but never forgotten...

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

December 23, 2008

My thoughts & prayers are with you. Rest Easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
Sister of slain Officer Randy Basnett, EOW 9-24-1976

December 22, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother....We will miss you...God Bless your family and beautiful little girls...

Officer Chad Walker
Athens, TX Police Dept.

December 22, 2008

Today we lost a hero, this day God welcomed one home.

Patrolman Dwayne Delcour
Mansfield Police Mansfield, Mo

December 22, 2008

Officer Simmons thank you for your dedication and service...May God bless and comfort your family and the Amarillo Police Dept...Rest in eternal peace...

Civilian
LAPD

December 22, 2008

Brother Simmons,
May you rest in peace.

Sgt. Walter Hughes, Retired
MNPD - Nashville, Tennessee

December 22, 2008

Officer Simmons,

May God hold you and keep you safe. Your suffering is now over and may you be at peace. We will all meet again and the end of our tours. God bless your children.

Officer Michael A. Mauro
Fl. Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement

December 22, 2008

~ Police Officer's 23rd Psalm ~

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, His comforting hand reduces fear to naught; He makes me walk through streets of crime, But He gives me courage and peace of mind.

He leads me by still waters in the path I trod, And He says in Romans I'm a "minister of God," He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul, For His name's sake He keeps me whole.

When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door, I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more; For Thou art with me every step of the way, As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.

He prepares a table, especially for me, As I work daily among life's enemies; He gives me authority to uphold the law, And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, Each day of my life through eternity; As I long to hear Him say, "Well done...," When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.

(Author Unknown)

My sympathy goes out to you and your family. Thank you for your service to this country.

Patrol Officer Jason Wilson
Rome Police Department Wisconsin

December 22, 2008