Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
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 awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his god.

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

May the lord watch over your family in their time of loss. Rest in peace, you are a true hero! GOD SPEED

Former LE Officer
Texas

November 30, 2009

Thank you Sergeant Renninger for your service, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Deepest condolences to your family, friends and the Lakewood police Service. Rest easy brother.

Cst. Adams
Vancouver P.D

November 30, 2009

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER IN BLUE

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

For Lakewood PD, a quote from the "Bixby Letter" written by President Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 21, 1864.

"..... I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln"

Officer M. Reuss
Eagan Police Department MN

November 30, 2009

God Speed to you Sir, Thank you for your service. It is now time for you to rest. Your beat is now part of Heaven's streets.

Sara
Police wife from Indiana

November 30, 2009

The news of Mark's tragic death hits home on two personal levels, first as a friend of Mark's from Liberty High School in Bethlehem PA second as a wife of a PA State Trooper. My thoughts and prayers go out to Marks family here in the East and his wife Kim and their children. Mark was a great guy and it was clear from the first time he came to visit me after leaving for the services after high school, he was meant to serve his country. Mark you will be missed.

Shelly
Wife of a PSP Trooper, friend of Mark

November 30, 2009

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Mark Renninger, and the Lakewood 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. Sergeant Renninger, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

November 30, 2009

Rest in Peace brother. Thank you for your service.

LEO
CT

November 30, 2009

We are absolutely devastated at the senseless loss of Mark and his co-workers. He will remain in our prayers along with his family, friends, and department members.

God bless.

Ptlm. P. K. Harding (Ret.)
Binghamton (NY) PD

November 30, 2009

God Bless You and Your Family.

Deputy Sheriff Dean A. Mirra
Broward Sheriff's Office / Florida

November 30, 2009

Rest in peace brother. My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the LPD during this difficult and tragic time.

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

November 30, 2009

Rest in Peace. My prayers to your family and friends.
Let your death not be forgotten as we join together make our country a better place to live so that what happened to you will never happen again.

Let's all pray for these officers as they are our fellow citizens also and they have families like we all have families and friends and private lives when not at work.

A Citizen

November 30, 2009

This is so unbelievable! My prayers go out to the friends and family of these 4 Officers...
Never let them be forgotten.

Inv. Mike Bradford; Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

November 30, 2009

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Sergeant Mark Renninger. Rest in Peace Brother, We now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, Central New York

November 30, 2009

I was truly sickened to hear of this tragedy, and could not help but think of the number of times I have sat in a coffee shop with my squad. My most heartfelt sympathies go out to the family of Sergeant Renninger, my brothers and sisters at the Lakewood Police Department, and the citizens of Lakewood. The senseless deaths of Sergeant Renninger and his co-workers is felt across this nation, and will not go unresolved. Rest in peace, brother Renninger...we have the watch from here.

Cpl. Tim Nazzaro
Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office

November 30, 2009

May God Bless your families, friends and co-workers during this terrible time for our Law Enforcement Families. Rest in Peace.
Betty A. Bell
Former Spouse
Ptl. William B. Bell
Summerville, SC PD

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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
Sergeant
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

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

November 30, 2009

My Prayers are with the Family of Sergeant Renninger.

Rosemary Crowley
Mother of two Police Officers (Colorado Springs Colorado)

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

Sgt Renninger, My heart felt prayers and condolences go out to your family and our fellow brothers and sisters in mourning in the State of Washington. You and your fellow officers will always be remembered for the service you have provided to the public safety community. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Cpl. J.D. Brooks
Taneytown (MD) Police Dept.

November 30, 2009

You woke up thinking today just might be a normal day, but when it was all over, you departed as a hero, someone who will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and protecting the community.

Special Agent
US Secret Service

November 30, 2009

Brutally cut down by coward and without a chance. Rest in Peace my friend. I will pray for you and your family

PC Craig Willcox
Metropolitan Police, London

November 30, 2009

you will always be remembered brother. my heart goes out to the families and you are in our prayers.

Texas Peace Officer

Bryan Butler

November 30, 2009

Brother,it is your time to rest.Please watch over us.God speed.

Deputy R. L. Matthews
Father of Deputy C. Brian Matthews EOW 9-30-05

November 30, 2009

RIP Officer, the brutal attack upon you and your partners will not go forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, co-workers and all within the Lakewood Community for losing four heroes.

SGT Sean Ronan
Chicago P.D.

November 30, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, fellow officers, and friends of Officer Owen. May God's presence and Grace be in your lives.

Chaplain Ted Darling
Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Ozark, AR

November 30, 2009