Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

God Bless You and Your Family.

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

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

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Greg Richards. 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 Officer Richards, my brothers and sisters at the Lakewood Police Department, and the citizens of Lakewood. The senseless deaths of Officer Richards and his co-workers is felt across this nation, and will not go unresolved. Rest in peace, brother Richards...we have the watch from here.

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

November 30, 2009

Ofc. Richards, My heart felt prayers and condolences go our to your family and fellow brothers and sisters in the State of Washington. Thank you for your dedication and service to our profession. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

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

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

Brutally cut down by a 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

God bless the agency and the families of the fallen. May God see yall through the tough days ahead. Rest in peace brother we have the watch from here

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

My Prayers are with the family of Officer Richards.Rest in Peace.

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

Anonymous

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

Brother, now is the time for you to rest.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

On behlf of all Missouri officer, dispatchers and the like, we extend our sincere sympathy to the families, friends and co-workers of Officer Richards. Rest in Peace our fallen hero.

Scott Barthelmass, Founder/Team Manager
Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team

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

After I was wounded in Iraq I had to retire due to my injuries. I had to rely on others to hold the "Thin Blue Line" Thank you Officer Richards for checking my 6 when I couldnt any longer.

SSG G
US Army (ret) NHPD res

November 30, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Richards!
You will not be forgotten!
FACEBOOK salutes you!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

November 30, 2009

Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining 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 shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.

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

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I 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've never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the answer 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."

-Peter Hornbach

RIP We have the watch

Just a Cop

November 30, 2009

Thank you for service. Some things in life simply do not make sense, and this tragic event is one of them. You are a hero in the eyes of your fellow brothers and sisters in blue. May you rest in peace sir. Keep watch over those of us that still hold the thin blue line. God bless your family and friends as well.

Sgt Bill Bertke
Campbell County Police, KY

November 30, 2009

Rest in peace, brother. May God be with the family of Officer Richards during this time of mouring. We've got the watch from here.

BL Mitchell, Patrol
FCPD, VA

November 30, 2009

To Mrs. Richards, family, friends and coworkers of Officer Richards my heart and prayers are with you all. There are no words to help with the pain in your hearts, but know that your officer is not forgotten.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

Words cannot describe the anger I feel for the four of you who were ambushed and killed by a coward. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

Officer S.F. Barsch
Montgomery County Police, Maryland

November 30, 2009

We would like to send our warmest regards and deepest condolences to the family, friends and department of Officer Greg Richards. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult and sad time. Rest in Peace, Officer Richards and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

November 30, 2009

When a police officer is killed, the pain is felt by every officer of the global brotherhood of cops. I am no exeption. We wíll take that watch and we wíll keep on serving and protecting. The glory of the brothers and sisters shall not be blotted out.

Brigadier Eric Jansen
Rotterdam City Police Netherlands

November 30, 2009

The policeman stood and faced his 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 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 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 times 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 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 borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Sgt Oleson
FLPD

November 30, 2009