Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Officer Richards and Officer Griswold in connection with my cousin's passing earlier this year.

My cousin, a retired US Army Major, died after an extended illness. Over the next few days unknown parties had broken in to his home and ransacked it. And then they came back and took more things the next night.

By the time I had arrived to try to secure the house three days had passed and the two entry door frames had been broken, all furniture and valuables were gone and there was glass all over the floor from broken panes and pictures.

The neighbors, having heard of the first two burglaries, had noted my presence and dialed 911. I heard the two patrol cars arrive and went out to meet the officers... Officer Richards was the first one out of the car and had his service weapon trained on me as he tried to figure out who I was and what I was doing in the house.

A few minutes later I had established my identity and Officer Richards took the time to fill me in on what had been going on at the house and what the police knew. He was professional and caring and spent more time than I expected to let me know what was going on (1) until a will was found no one "owned" the house, (2) if someone would stay in the house it would probably keep more things from going missing, (3) LPD was going to patrol the area to try to limit the looting.

I explained to him that most everything of value was already gone, and that I didn't feel comfortable sitting there armed waiting to defend the property... nothing that was left was worth harming someone else to protect. He stayed and talked with me for probably a half hour.

At a time of loss he took the time to be there for me and for my family... he went above and beyond and I got the impression that that was the kind of officer he was... one who went above and beyond on a regular basis.

Meeting before shift at Forza should have been a safe place to get organized and ready for a day on patrol. It is tragic that it was not.

Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten.

Eric Emery

Eric Emery
citizen, Tacoma WA

November 29, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, fellow officers, and the brothers and sisters in uniform across the State of Washington and the nation. We share your grief. Thank you for your service, Officer Richards. You will not be forgotten.

Peggy Parker
Texarkana, TX

November 29, 2009

Rest In Peace.

So sorry this happened.

I hope they catch this guy and he is punished.

All four of you officers have served a job well done on this Earth. Now it is time to be with the Lord.

R.I.P.

Anonymous

November 29, 2009

Time and time again we see good people pay the ultimate price for doing what is right in our society. This year has not been a good one for Law Enforcement. First Oakland PD lost 4, now Lakewood, WA. I truly believe that there is good and evil in our society. These Officers knew the kind of work they were getting into and paid with their lives. If this dirtbag would kill 4 uniformed Police Officers, what would he have done to a regular citizen? To say that you four died as heros is not enough. That term some how does not have that kind of deep meaning that I am looking for. You paid the ultimate price with your lives. Your family, friends and fellow Officers will now have to live their lives without you. We must always remember that those names that are on this site died for a purpose. To protect the inocent, to be a productive member of our society and to ensure that future generations have it better than we do now. I only wish that you did not have to die this way...we all have a right to live our lives to the fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, co-workers and the citizens that you protected. Thank you for your service and you will not be forgotten!

Michael Bondi
Former LAPD

November 29, 2009

Like so many, I'm just at a complete loss for words. Your entire police family is feeling this tragedy today, even complete strangers across the country!

I will keep your family and friends and community in my thoughts and prayers as they deal with the hard road ahead. God bless you all. I hope you and your comrades found perfect peace today. You deserve it after dedicating your life and ultimately enduring the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace.

Anonymous

November 29, 2009

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Lakewood PD Officers that were brutally executed today.

Sgt R. Beyer

November 29, 2009

RIP and may God bless your family and friends.

#5813
U.S. Marshals

November 29, 2009

Rest in Peace and God Bless and lokk after your family

Sgt Stamm
NYPD SCU Alumni

November 29, 2009

Words can in no way even come close to describing this tragedy or the feelings going through your family, friends, co-workers, and entire community. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service not only to the people of Lakewood but to the entire United States. You and your fellow officers will be missed.

Sergeant B. Wolgast
Florida Department of Corrections

November 29, 2009

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

November 29, 2009

I am in such shock and disbelief from what occurred that I am at a loss for words. When I heard all the sirens and witnessed several dozen police cars from multiple departments racing down my street I knew it was bad..but I never imagined that it was this bad! I visit odmp.org frequently and the idea that I am writing a reflection for 4 officers who were killed less then a minute from where I live is just beyond belief! My prayers go out to the families, friends and law enforcement personnel who have been affected by this tragedy. I personally will never forget this, and every time I see a Lakewood police car I will always be reminded.

Natalie Ledger
Lakewood resident

November 29, 2009

Thank you for your sacrifice, courage and service to our country. May your children always know that their dad was, and will always be, a true HERO to the citizens he served. May justice be swift for the scum that took his life. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN

November 29, 2009

May God bless and be with the Richards family at this time. Your are part of a family, one who will always be loved and taken care of. You are not alone. Thank you Officer Richards may you walk the streets of heaven with your boots shinning bright.

jessica
daughter of a fallen officer

November 29, 2009

RIP

PO 19
NYPD

November 29, 2009

May you rest in peace Greg! God bless your family.

2nd Lt.Hoover
FCPD

November 29, 2009

Rest in Peace. I know someone up there who will show you around.

Anonymous

November 29, 2009

My heart goes out to you and your family, my hero.

Det. K
IL

November 29, 2009

As the widow of one officer and the mother of another, my
family is truly understanding of the sacrifice & dedication all your careers demand.Jim was killed in the line of duty June 27, 1990. My children were one & three. My son is now an officer in Pflugerville, TX. Our hearts & prayers go out to all the families of those you lost, we also hold your whole department close to our hearts and certainly will remember you in our prayers. God bless all those behind the badge, & the families who support them. May you only have the best of luck in finding the evil being that murdered members of our family of blue.

Mrs. Maura Irby
Widow James B. Irby Houston P.D.

November 29, 2009

With our deepest sympathy and condolences. May God be with your family at this time.

SGT. Martin Stiastny(Ret. NYPD) & Family
NYPD

November 29, 2009

God Bless you Officer Richards

Rick F.
Ret. CO

November 29, 2009

Rest in peace brother, you will not beforgotten by the thin blue line. Our prayers go out to you, your dept. and your family. Its a black Sunday for leo's

ofc. Charles Robson (ret)
ORMOND BEACH POLICE DEPT.

November 29, 2009

I was sick to my stomach to learn of this horrible, senseless tragedy. My God be with your family at this trying time. RIP.

Anonymous

November 29, 2009

You protected those who could not protect themselves. Rest easy from that task.

Sergeant Dave Bradford
Wake County Sheriff's office K9 Unit

November 29, 2009

Words can not express how terrible I feel for you and your family. I learned about this tragedy while at work today. May you rest in peace and may God bring peace to you and your family.

Pvt. James Leary
United States Park Police

November 29, 2009

My brother, peace be with you. God bless your family and friends in their time of grief. I pray that the Lord provides your family with the strength needed to get through this time of sorrow. We do not always understand why God calls us home so soon, but we have to trust in the Lord as he has the best plans for us. Thank you for your service, God Bless.

Sgt Sean Hoover
Fort Myers (FL) Police

November 29, 2009