Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Richards. 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 Richards, 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 Richards. 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

November 30, 2009

May angels lead you in.

God bless

Miranda

November 30, 2009

In Washington State there are 9 Childern who lost a Mother/Father, 3 Spouces that lost their Husband/Wife, and A nation that lost 4 Heros RIP May God bless You and Your Family as well as the Thin Blue Line

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Richards, you served well. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

J Clendening #407
Glades County Sheriff's Office, FL

November 30, 2009

The senselessness of this act will shake law enforcement to it's very core. May God bless your family, friends, and fellow Lakewood Police Officers and may he bring swift judgement to whomever would do such a thing to our brother.

Lt Jerry Soesbee
USMC Police (MCAS Beaufort/MCRD Parris Island)

November 30, 2009

Officer Richards,
Your sacrafice will not be in vain. Thoughts and prayers to your co-workers and family.
Tell Officer Danny Martinez (Fort Smith,AR Police Department) and Sgt. Richard LeBow (Arkansas State Police) we miss them.

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

My wife & I had recently had the pleasure of meeting Greg at the Puyallup Fair this last September. Casually striking up a conversation with him, and his fellow officer, we quickly learned that we had a "family" connection i.e. small world moment. It made us smile, and in an instant we became friends. And I'm sure that anyone who ever was lucky enough to meet him, also smilled. Thank You for your dedicated service Officer Richards. The world has lost your smile.

Curt & Barbara Petersen
"family friends"

November 30, 2009

Blessed are the peacemakers for they are called the sons of God. You and your family are true heros.

R Cowell
Kitsap County Sheriff's Office

November 30, 2009

May God bless your family and loved ones at this time. We all lose a piece of the family when an officer is killed, and today, our whole family suffered a great loss. Our prayers are with your family. Rest easy now. We got it from here.

Central Graves
Mesa PD Mesa AZ

November 30, 2009

When I heard of this tragedy I felt the need to write to you..the wife. My husband too was ambushed and killed in the line of duty and his killer is still at large. Find peace in knowing that our husbands are together smiling down on us even though our tears are still flowing. Don't cloud your mind with the hate and distress that humanly come natural to us for the events that occurred. I believe this was part of my Tom's journey and just as I supported him for doing what he loved to do, I will always support and pray for him for dying while doing what he loved to do. No one knows why these series of events happen, so I've learned to stop trying to figure it out. I have 5 beautiful children who miss and ache for his presence everyday but we've found so many positive things from his death that its impossible for us to be sad everyday. You too will find that happiness once you are no longer numb, don't rush it, just embrace the day you can look up and smile again...believe me, it will come.

H.Wood
Wife of K-9 Off Thomas Wood E.O.W. 10/23/06

November 30, 2009

I am at a loss for words to say. The officers their families and friends will be in my prayers.

FF Paramedic
Franklin Bingham Fire Department

November 30, 2009

May God bless you and your brother and sister officers, and may he keep watch over the families you leave behind.

Sorrowful #9627
California Highway Patrol

November 30, 2009

When I heard of this horrible & senseless tragedy, I felt so sick to my stomach. I watched the news & then heard the name GREG RICHARDS. OMG, please don't let it be Greg from Wilson. (We went to HS together.) He was always such a good person. I see you left behind a wife and 3 children. NO wife nor child should be left like this. Please know we will hold you in our prayers. I am also a cop's wife, this is a cop's wife's worst nightmare. I am soooo sorry this happened to your family.
Veronica
hs friend & cop's wife

Veronica Heckert Zeigler
high school friend

November 30, 2009

I truely wish that all of the sadness, grief and prayers occurring in the community and across the nation could undo this senseless act that took Gregg, Ronald, Mark,and Tina from their family, friends and community. May they assume new roles as guardian angels over their families, friends, and brothers and sisters in uniform. God bless you and your families during this terrible time.

Howard Anderson
Washington State DOC

November 30, 2009

God bless you and your family. May you rest in peace.

Lieutemnant
NYPD

November 30, 2009

Officer Richards my thoughts and prayers are with you and your fellow officers, your families, your department, and your community. Rest in Peace brother, we have the watch.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4 - KJV)

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9 - KJV)

Ptl. J. H. Belcher II
Christiansburg, Virginia Police Department

November 30, 2009

To the Lakewood Police Department- My heart shattered when I first saw the Breaking News stories online about your tragic loss. To lose four officers in a single incident is something that used to be considered unfathomable; unfortunately, these tragedies are becoming too real--too commonplace. Although I have been in law enforcement for 25 years, and grew up a daughter of an officer, I know of no words to express the void left behind when a brother or sister is taken from us. We must use the experience and knowledge gained from the loss to move forward, and continue serving, knowing we now have more guardian angels watching our own backs.

Officer Richards- You will be missed, you will be honored. Rest well, Sir.

Ruth A. Gorski, P# 2804
Las Vegas Metro PD

November 30, 2009

Rest In Peace Officer Richards. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

William
Birmingham, AL

November 30, 2009

You are a true Hero. May God bring peace to you and your family. Justice will be served. God speed brother.

K. McGee
MPD, TX

November 30, 2009

Rest In Peace, Officer Richards.

Lt T Carr
NYPD

November 30, 2009

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

November 30, 2009

God Bless you and your family. You have paid the ultimate sacrifice doing, no doubt, what you loved to do. You are a hero and will be remembered forever. Thank you for your service, the world is a better place because of it. Rest in Peace Brother.

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

What a senseless and horrible act. Your family and co-workers are in my thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace.

Mike
Former Missouri officer

November 30, 2009

Speechless, God Bless you and yours

Detective Pritchard
North Charleston Police Department

November 30, 2009