Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

For: Sergeant Mark Renninger
Officer Ronald Owens
Officer Greg Richards
Officer Tina Griswold

A Sunday morning. To most of us in law enforcement this normally is a time to recooperate from a Saturday night of duty when, in most cities, police activity peaks. Sunday morning is a time to catch-up on reports. To discuss business and take a breath. For a new week lies ahead.

Most of us who wear the badge know that emergencies can occur anytime. And anywhere. No city is too big for the most trivial of incidents and no city is too small for that call that will, for some law officers, cost them their life. None of us are truly safe. Ever.

Mark, Ron, Greg and Tina, I am certain, knew this. Just the same, to live in a constant state of readiness and supreme alert is hardly possible. We are human. We can flip the switch that springs us into action quickly, but we do not remain poised over it without a reason. We rely upon our experience and our training. We need to be activated by something we have previously experienced or have been taught in training. None of us - not any law officer - beholds the public at large as killers-in-waiting. For our work is with the public, in the public and for the public. Most of them appreciate us. Many do not. And, yet some, hate us. It is our lot.

For these four police officers, doing reports, discussing work, and refreshing themselves with a breakfast beverage - it was a normal day. In fact is was a Sunday.

Suddenly, and without warning, a maniac appears. A coward. A culprit. One who would hide his intentions and move-in close. His plan, reportedly known by others, and for whatever reason, would chose to remain silent. The plan, then, would proceed. No alert would be sounded. The aftermath was four slain law officers.

We pray for each of these officers. For them and their respective families, friends, co-workers and all who care about them. We pray for the understanding of what cannot yet be understood. We pray for the relief from pain, heartache, shock, sadness, rage, and angry thoughts far to complicated to be understood by anyone not directly known to these officers. While we mourn the loss of public protectors and soldiers-the-law, they mourn for a lost father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, other relative, friend or fellow officer. Each of them having a loss far greater than the mind of others can hardly imagine. We pray that they all survive not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

No words can heal quickly. No individual can solely bring something forth that will make an instant change. No act can be now performed that will bring about some relief at this moment. Hardly anyone who cares enough can bring any measureable change by tomorrow. A time to grieve must be allowed. A time to cry must be granted. Time to ask all of the questions that no one can answer must occur. And, during this time, all who call themselves relatives, neighbors, co-workers and friends must be ready to reach-out when it is their time to do so. If you knew Mark, or Ron, or Greg, or Tina -- then you will know what to do -- and when to do it. All you need to do now -- is to be patient. To be available. To be strong. And, to be ready.

To Sgt. Renninger, Off. Owens, Off. Richards and Off. Griswold, I am pround to render a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police

December 1, 2009

God bless you brother. I am glad to see that this evil man was served properly by Officer Kelly. You will not be forgotten. Rest well and please watch over all of us in blue from above. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Officer Brock Martin
Va. Beach Police Dept.

December 1, 2009

Rest easy brothers and sister, we'll take the watch from here. God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman
Honesdale Boro PD, Pa

December 1, 2009

To the friends and family of Sgt. Mark Renninger I express my most heartfelt sympathy. Thank you for your service and my prayers will be with you and your family at this most difficult time. I will pray for your children who's lost is unimaginable and for your wife who must live on without you. I will also pray for your mother and father and siblings as the loss is so difficult to wrap your mind around. God bless you all.

Sister of Sgt. J. Dragus EOW 10-20-05

Michelle Rogers

December 1, 2009

I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Sgt Renninger and his fellow officers. And to add insult to injury, the CBS evening news on Sunday decided to report on the Tiger Woods story before the loss of these fine officers. Condolences to Sgt Renninger's family and co-workers. We feel your loss down here in Texas.

Ptl. Ofc DJ Olvera
Grand Prairie TX Police Dept

December 1, 2009

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

May God be with you and all who mourn you. Your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your sevice.

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks
RIP 9-20-08

K. Larson
4-H Happy Tails member

December 1, 2009

Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace.

R. Sink
Wife of a Greensboro, NC officer

December 1, 2009

God bless you Sergeant Renninger, you are a hero!

Board of Trustees
Matteson IL Police Pension Fund

December 1, 2009

To the family and friends of Sergeant Renniger, God bless you. So sorry for your loss! You are in my prayers during this very sad time! He is a hero, he payed the ultimate sacrifice. He is watching over us in heaven!

Tracy Page Winder
Sister of Deputy Michael Page EOW 6/30/07

Tracy Winder

December 1, 2009

You will always be remembered as a hero. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and fellow officers. God bless and rest in peace.

Detective Sergeant Dean Bailey
Beckley Police Department, Beckley WV

December 1, 2009

"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell."

God bless all LOE'S and thier family and friends

Andrea
friend of Officer Jason west EOW may 26th 2007

December 1, 2009

May God grant you rest, and your family, friends and brother officers peace.

Chief William Kushner
Berwyn (IL) PD

December 1, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Renninger as well as the brotherhood at Lakewood Police Department. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

December 1, 2009

Thank you for your service. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. My prayers and thoughts are with all that loved you. God speed.

Officer C. Johnson
Farmington PD MN

December 1, 2009

"Blood Upon the Shield"
Blood Upon The Shield
Confrontation in an alley. The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cop's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it could've been you.
We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're
out there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like
we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules;"
We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.
You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching
you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile.
To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and as a man.
And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother
A cop who made a stand.

Author Unknown

Officer
WA

December 1, 2009

Another senseless tragety for the police community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Owens Family and the Lakewood Police Dept. during this sorrowful time. May our Lord watch over and protect your family and friends. Rest well now my friend, you've earned it.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

December 1, 2009

Your brothers in Seattle have served justice for you. RIP Sergeant Renninger

Patrolman David Boag
Hallowell Police Department, Maine

December 1, 2009

In a world of imposters, Mark was the genuine article. He had that rare combination of intelligence, ethics, ability, humanity, and honor. I miss him, as I'm sure all who had the pleasure of serving with him over the years will miss him. His family can be proud of the man he was, and the manner in which he carried out his duties

Eric S. Murphy (retired)
TPD

December 1, 2009

I wantesd to extend my deepest sorrow, we here in the Laval Police Force in Quebec Canada feel sickened by the loss of our collegues. Tears form knowing that the children are orphaned by fathers and mother. Our prayers are withyou. You are true hero's. We all are. We must remain with less judgement amonst each other. God Bless You.
With sorrow Sgt. Giovanna Di Biase 729

Sgt Di Biase
Laval Police Force

December 1, 2009

SGT Renninger, Rest in peace you probably had no idea what was coming that quiet Sunday morning. You were probably briefing your officers on what to expect during their tour. My sincere condolences to your wife and family and your department. Your service and dedication will be remembered for a long time to come. Thanks Terry F. Zech

OFC TERRY F. ZECH(RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT, MICH

December 1, 2009

You are remembered here within the hearts of the New York State Police. RIP my friend.

Investigator David Atkins
NYSP

December 1, 2009

You may rest in peace, your brother's took care of the Man responsible for these Hate Crimes.....

Trooper 1st Class (retired)
Pa State Police

December 1, 2009

Rest in Peace Brothers and Sister.... Just found out today that a lone officer shot and killed the coward (Job Well Done!!!!) I pray for you and your families and please continue to watch over us. Yall rest now, your work is done, and I look forward to meeting the Heros of Lakewood PD one day...

Ofc
Austell Police Department, GA

December 1, 2009

Deep sadness and is in my heart from this horrible tragedy. I cannot find the words to express how I feel about this. God bless the families of these fine Officers. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

TROOPER
GEORGIA STATE PATROL Post 1

December 1, 2009

May your family be comforted by the spirit of the Lord. God, You are the Father to the fatherless. My God wrap his arms around your family and help them through this difficult time. RIP.

Melissa T
Daughter of Fallen CPD Det. Airhart EOW 11/4/2008

December 1, 2009