Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Kelly you are the true definition of a Hero. You knew the danger and still you went to help your fellow officers. You will never be forgotten. To Officer Kelly's family please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Heaven was Needing a Hero:

I came by today to see you
I just had to let you know
If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time
I'd have held you, and never let go

Oh, it's kept me awake nights, wondering
I lie in the dark, just asking why
I've always been told
You won't be called home
Until it's your time

I guess heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

I remember the last time I saw you
Oh, you held your head up proud
I laughed inside
When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd
Your such a part of who I am
Now that part will just be void
No matter how much I need you now
Heaven needed you more

Cause heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you
-Jodee Messina

Daughter of a FCPD Officer
Fairfax County, VA

April 5, 2009

Rest in peace brothers, please be our angels from above now...

I pray for you brother and your family..

J. Yurek, Patrolman
Penn Hills Police, neighboring community

April 5, 2009

Officer Kelly - Your heroism will never be forgotten. I cry for you today and for your family, friends and co-workers. May God be with all of you. May God help us all through this senseless violence.

Kathy McEntee
Sister of Sgt. Bill McEntee EOW 7/5/05

April 5, 2009

You are a true hero. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and the entire LEO community in Pittsburgh.

Special Agent
FBI

April 5, 2009

God Bless you. Thank you for your service. May Almighty God Bless you before thine enemies and may His Grace be upon you family.

PTLM Karl Harig
Tamaqua Boro PD

April 5, 2009

I am saddened to read of another loss of life by a fellow brother of law enforcement. I pray that those who knew and loved these three officers be comforted by God, friends, and family. It is disheartenning to see what is going on in Pittsburgh and so many fellow officers are being killed in the line of duty. Rest in peace.

Off. D. Hanes
Oklahoma City Police Dept.

April 5, 2009

I retired from the NYC Police Department recently and had the privilege of serving with some of the finest cops in the world. After reading this Officer's story I was humbled and in awe. What kind of man comes to the aide of his brothers in the face of extreme danger, even though he is off duty. A Mans Man. A Cops Cop. A Hero and a Saint. This Officer is the very essence of what it means to be a Cop. God Bless you and may you rest in piece. You will not be forgotten by those who loved you or by the men and women who have walked your path.

Lt. Chris Owney
NYCPD, Ret.

April 5, 2009

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me
-Rest easy Officer Kelly, you will not be forgotten.

Trooper
New York State Police - Troop K

April 5, 2009

I retired from the NYC Police Department recently and had the privilege of serving with some of the finest cops in the world. After reading this Officer's story I was humbled and in awe. What kind of man comes to the aide of his brothers in the face of extreme danger, even though he is off duty. A Mans Man. A Cops Cop. A Hero and a Saint. This Officer is the very essence of what it means to be a Cop. God Bless you and may you rest in piece. You will not be forgotten by those who loved you or by the men and women who have walked your path.

Lt. Chris Owney
NYCPD, Ret.

April 5, 2009

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

Captain Gary Graham (RET)
Denver Police Department

April 5, 2009

God bless the family of Officer Eric Kelly and to all the brave members of the Pittsburgh Police Department for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Anonymous

April 5, 2009

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over.......

Sgt. John L Gulledge (Ret)
Escambia Co. Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.

April 5, 2009

HERO

It’s the life of a person who gave all they could,
A life that this person knew one day they would.
Lay down for another, a sister, a brother,
Lay down for a son, a daughter, a mother.

They put it all out there, left nothing behind.
They kept their eyes open, but to fear, they were blind.
They jumped right in and took death by the horns.
They rescued another, but gave up their own.

They’re people who always knew it would come.
They day that will only happen to some.
The day that they waited for all of their life.
The day they paid a hero’s ultimate price.

A hero is one who wished he could go,
Through heaven’s gates with a shiny halo.
A halo that showed, just that he died,
Because a hero gives and relinquishes pride.

Don’t mourn for a hero who has passed by the way.
Don’t mourn for the hero because we know one day.
That given the chance all of us would,
Give what they gave, if only we could.

Author: Unkown

Patrol Officer Steve
Annonymous

April 5, 2009

Brother, May God bless you, and the men and women of the Pittsburgh Police Department. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Mrs. Kelly, May God help you and your daughters through these most difficult times. Please know that you and your children are and will be in our prayers.

Special Agent
FBI New York

April 5, 2009

God Bless these three officers and their families for their service and paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Appreciative Citizen
Mt. Pleasant, PA

April 5, 2009

What a hero you are!! To repond off-duty!! What a hero you are!! This coward who killed you may not receive the proper sentence on earth, but when God judges him he will finally feel justice served!!!

Thank you for your sacrifice and service. God bless you, your family and your Department. I will be praying for all three of you who made the ultimate sacrifice. We need you blue angels to keep everyone safe, the toll has been terrible down here with Oakland, Montana's Trooper and now Pittsburgh.

Praying for peace and solace for all of you,

Your new "aunt" in California,
Love, Aunt LoVae

LoVae Pray Martines, Law Enforcement Lia
MADD-San Bernardino County, CA

April 5, 2009

I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death suffered by Eric. I had the opportunity to meet Eric while working in Crafton, he was always such a nice quiet guy who never had a bad word for anyone. He will surely be missed by anyone who had the opportunity to know him. My sincere sypmpathy to his wife and children, and especially to his mom Frances who I also knew and respected she was so proud of him, and so was I who had the opportunity to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Frank Secosky
Friend

April 5, 2009

It was hard for me to hear and watch this tragedy unfold in my hometown of Pittsburgh, but when I heard it was you that was gone words can't express how I felt. I remember back in the day, when ever you came into City Court you always had your baby daughter with you. That was a precious sight to see, a man handling family and work at the same time. You was always a guy who was never too serious and kept your sense of humor throughout the years.
In this past 30 hours I have thought a lot about you however I have thought more about your wife and kids. I have prayed for your wife, since now she has to be the mother and the father. I pray that your girls know and understand that their dad was and is a true hero. Eric I am sure they will carry on your legacy and make you proud from up there. You will never be forgotten and you are already missed.
Much love from my current family MCPD, and you are forever loved by the former family of HACP-PD

Officer D. Culmer
Montgomery County PD

April 5, 2009

rest in peace brother, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your brothers and sisters in uniform.

Sgt. VanCuren
Oklahoma city police

April 5, 2009

MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU IN AND PROTECT YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE PITTSBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT PENNSYLVANIA.
AUNT OF TROOPER CRAIG J TODESCHINI EOW 04/23/06

Anonymous

April 5, 2009

Thanking God for your bravery. Rest in Peace.

Lt. Sheila Jones
Fredericksburg Police Sept.

April 5, 2009

After just trying to come to grips with Oakland, I could not believe what I was hearing from Pittsburgh.
May God Bless all the families and fellow offciers. You are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP my brothers.

Ret Deputy Charlie Huffman
T.C.S.O Sonora California

April 5, 2009

Godspeed Sir...Go in Peace

Ptn. R. Murphy

April 5, 2009

Rest easy brother....

Badge 195
Winston Salem Police, NC

April 5, 2009

Your dedication to your fellow Law Enforcement Brothers shined today. You will forever be a testament to the Thin Blue Line. Rest In Peace, Eric, you will not be forgotten.

Deputy Eric Essinger
Washington County Sheriff's Dept

April 5, 2009