Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace

Patrolman Jeff Tripp
Marion,Ma Police Dept

July 30, 2010

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 whose 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

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 (retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Department, Columbia, SC

July 30, 2010

Sorry about the lost.

Adrian Murphy
n/a

July 30, 2010

Rest in peace fellow deputy.

Det. L.D. Woody
Franklin County Sheriff Office, N.C.

July 30, 2010

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just 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 shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, 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 tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got 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 an unmanly tear.
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 often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment 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"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

July 30, 2010

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

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, Central New York

July 30, 2010

Rest in peace Deputy.....my thoughts are with your family, friends and the members of the GCSO during this most difficult and tragic time.

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

July 30, 2010

Jon,we promised is anything ever happened we would take care of the other's family. I will live up to my promise. I am so glad we spent the whole day together on the 27th. After we had dinner together we had decided after looking at our vacation pics that we would go to Gatlinburg every year and ride our motorcycles like we did this year. I had come home for lunch at 1900 (night shift lunch) and our Laura's were out back on the patio. They had me go out there with them because we were planning your birthday party for this weekend, thats when I got the call. I did not have all the details just that you had been shot. I did not know how bad it was at the time but I ran code to GCSO. That is when I found out my friend, my brother, and a part of me had passed away. I love you Jon and know you are in a better place, but this is killing me! I will look after Laura and your family!

Lt. Eric S. Stallings
Winterville PD

July 30, 2010

Rest easy Deputy Willis! May God spread peace and strength over your family and friends. May your children always know the sacrifice you made for others and see their father as the HERO he was and will always be.

TL Knox
Greenville Police Department

July 30, 2010

I will always remember the Christmas' out on the deck and the late nights on the patio at Eric. I will mess you deeply brother. I will have that shot of "The Knot" for you tonight. Watch over us as we server.

Scott Grady Patrol Officer
Long Beach P.D. / Winterville P.D.

July 30, 2010

You were a great guy. I loved busting your chops. You are going to be missed. Rest in Peace Bro

Corporal Scott Stanton; GPD
Friend

July 30, 2010

I had the pleasure of knowing Jon for 9 years. We graduated from the Academy together and would exchange words upon our passing seeing how each other was doing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and thank you for helping keep my family and others safe. Rest in peace brother.

Det. Christopher M. Burack
Greenville Police Department

July 30, 2010

Rest in peace my brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Greene County Sheriff's Office are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless

Sr. Officer D. Johns
City of Sandy Springs Police, Georgia

July 30, 2010

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.


Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of US Marshal

July 30, 2010

Rest in peace brother....we have the watch from here.

Dep. J. Lyons
Onslow Co S.O.

July 30, 2010

I am so sorry for his loss to family, friends, and co-workers. God is the Great Healer. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless you all.

Rusty Cox,Information Clerk
Asheville Police Dept., Asheville, NC

July 30, 2010

On behalf of the 6,187 members of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST), we extend our sincere condolences to Deputy Willis’ family as well as the members of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. AAST members throughout the United States know first hand what all of you are going through right now. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Ken Howes, Executive Director
American Association of State Troopers

July 30, 2010

RIP my Brother. Thank you for your service.

Deputy S. Yates
Covinton County Sheriff's Dept. (Mississippi)

July 30, 2010

Rest in peace Sheriff Willis!
You will not be forgotten!
FACEBOOK salutes you!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

July 30, 2010

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff John Willis as well as to the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Rest in peace Deputy Willis, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

July 30, 2010

Rest in Peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

Sgt. Kevin Kratz
Buena Vista Twp Police Department (Michigan)

July 30, 2010

I started my Career with the GCSO in 2002. "Willis", as we called him, was one of my first partners. The first time I ever fished at Buckhorn lake in Wilson was with Willis. He was using a deep diving crank bait and somehow his line broke so he was just pulling the line in with his hands to get his bait back and caught a bass. I didn't catch a thing that day.---Willis, Rest in Peace Brother...

Cpl. D.W. Casey
Mt. Olive Police Department

July 30, 2010

The families of 1199 Inc. want to say how saddened we are in hearing Deputy Sheriff John Willis has lost his life in the line of duty. To your family, friends, as well as your law enforcement family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We know your brothers and sisters in law enforcement will make sure your children will know what a hero their dad is. Thank you for trying to make the lives in your community safer. To all LEO'S please wear your vests. No matter how hot and uncomfortable they may be. Please stay safe, stay alert, and come home at the end of your watch.

Sgt. Jeff Caudill
1199 Inc. for fallen officers

July 30, 2010

RIP brother John.

May God bless and be with your family, co-workers and friends at this very difficult time.

Ptlm D. Bevenour
Gettysburg PD

July 30, 2010

RIP Deputy. Thank you for your dedication to your community.

T. W. Dorsey, Former Chief of Police

July 30, 2010