Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones during this very difficult time. There are no magic words I can offer to help you with your loss except to take one day at a time and keep Mark's memory alive by telling stories about him and seeking out stories from those who worked with him and were close to him. He is a true hero and heroes never die. Mark, wrap your wings around all of your loved ones and protect them, you have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 19, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother...

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

December 19, 2008

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Simmons. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your Family.
You will never be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.


May the children of Officer Simmons, know that their Daddy is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us. Officer Simmons. Thank You sir for your service and protection to us all, may you rest in Peace. God bless you and your family.

VIPS Jeff Claybern 750
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

December 19, 2008

My prayers are with your family, friends, and Agency. May you sleep easy with God, Mark. 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 19, 2008

Officer Simmons: I am saddened to see your name added to list of heros lost this year. My thoughts are with your family, friends, and co-workers.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

December 19, 2008

It has been a long 3 years. I will never forget the phone call that I got from Stephaine and his fiancee/my roomate Jonna that morning nor the phone call that I recieved on Wednesday 17th. I am full of sadness, but I know in my heart that he is no longer suffering. My thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with the Simmons family, and those two little girls that he loved so much. Good night my friend, we will see each other again! Love, Destiny.

Destiny Craft
co-worker/friend

December 19, 2008

Rest in peace brother. May God bless you.

A Texas Street Cop

Anonymous

December 19, 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 19, 2008

Thankyou for your service OFFICER SIMMONS. Rest in peace sir, you will never be forgotten. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA

December 19, 2008

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

December 19, 2008

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Mark Simmons, and the Amarillo P.D. 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. Officer Simmons, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

December 19, 2008

On behalf of the 5,200 members of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST), we extend our sincere condolences to Officer Simmons’ family as well as the members of the Amarillo Police Department. AAST members throughout the United States know first hand what all of you are going through right now. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Ken Howes, Executive Director
American Association of State Troopers

December 19, 2008

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

Shelly
Citizen

December 19, 2008

RIP...You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

December 19, 2008

Rest in Peace

Chief George Yaccich
Rochester Township Police PA.

December 19, 2008

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

December 19, 2008

Officer Simmons,
Thank you sir for a job well done. Your in Jesus's loving hands now where you'll find peace and comfort. You are and always will be a hero living amoung your fallen brothers and sisters who have fallen before you.
To the family of Officer Simmons, there are no words that can take the pain or hurt away, I know this for a fact because I'm walking the same path in life you are. My son, was also taken from us in the line of duty. Just please know your not alone, you've got more family in the law enforcement community then you realize and we're all here for you 24/7 and always will be.
With deepest respect,
Kim Weigand
Mom of Sgt. Michael C. Weigand
E.O.W. 9/14/2008

Kim Weigand

December 19, 2008

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

December 19, 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)

December 19, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother and thank you for your Service. It was an honor to share the thin blue line with you.

Deputy John Latour (retired)
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

December 19, 2008

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

December 19, 2008

MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU IN AND PROTECT YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT TEXAS.

AUNT OF TROOPER CRAIG TODESCHINI EOW 04/23/06

Anonymous

December 19, 2008

God Bless you.

Rick F.
Ret. Co

December 19, 2008

Rest in Peace brother.

P/O John Formisano
Newark Police

December 18, 2008

Rest in Peace. You will never be forgotten. May God watch over you and your family.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 18, 2008