Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless you Chief and your family and friends. I might share with you some words which have sustained me through long dark nights of peril, loss and heartache and I quote "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." Abraham Lincoln

Officer Jeffrey Blose
Lake Alfred Police Department

January 6, 2011

My wife and I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with Chief Painter's family, friends, co-workers, and agency. R.I.P. Chief Painter, we'll carry on for you.

Sergeant Mike Allen
California Highway Patrol

January 6, 2011

Rest in Peace Chief. I want to say you have my respect, a "boss" who was out handling calls and doing what the understaff does and showing leadership by being out there. I will pray for your family and department at this time. GODSPEED!

Ofc. Aaron P. Sparks
Newbury Police Dept. NH

January 6, 2011

Rest in Peace Chief Painter you've earned your new post
on the streets of Heaven. May God grant strength and comfort to your family,friends and co-workers.

R Eberhart Partner to Royce Anderson
EOW 10/26/81 HCSO Houston Tx

January 6, 2011

I'll never forget sitting in your office a few hours after being told I might not have a job anymore when I was still with Columbia County SO due to budget cuts. You looked right across at me and said, "Eric, I'll make sure you never miss a paycheck." I knew you were telling me the truth. I felt easier because of your reassurance. I knew that you were looking out for me. Then a few years later, at a training class, you wrapped your arm around me and told me how proud you were of me and how I ended up.

I never really worked for you, Chief, but I sure felt like I did. Times like the ones I mention above made me feel like I was one of yours. I always felt like your troop. And I was proud to have been associated with you and proud to feel like your troop. I will always remember the times I'd pop into Rainier PD or you'd pop into my office at the high school, and the next thing we knew an hour had flown by just chatting about life. I will miss you deeply. But every time I call for cover, I will always hear in the back of my mind that familiar voice crackle across the radio, "900, show me en route," and I'll know you're there with me.

You left your mark on our profession and on so many of us young, impressionable officers. You left a pretty great mark, Chief. You were taken far too young, far too soon, but you were loved by all you touched during your 55 years here on Earth. God speed, sir.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Sergeant Eric Bunday
Hillsboro Police Department

January 6, 2011

Rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to the loved ones of Chief Painter and the entire Rainier Police Department.

Police Officer Jason Maltby
North Saint Paul Police Department

January 6, 2011

To Mrs. Painter and children,
I am so very sorry. I pray for our officers as i listen to the police scanner where i work. I am in Missouri. Your husband was so brave to do the job he did. I can't imagine. They all risk their lives each day/several times a day. God bless you and may He comfort you even though we do not know the why in all this. My friend's husband was told he has cancer. I told her my verse was [be still and know that i am GOD.} was helpful and peaceful to say when I had gone through some scary times with family health issues. Prayers, chrissy geuin, Missouri

chrissy geuin -citizen

January 6, 2011

I am lost for words. Cheif Ralph Painter u taught me so much in my time as a Reserve Police Officer I will use these skill in my time to come. I will pray for you and your family. For someone as great as you are you did not deserve this. The city of Rainier will mourne and miss someone who changed the city of Rainier. Today a wonderful life was lost but your spirit and joy will live on. Ralph Painter you will be missed. To your family im very sorry and I will pray for you. Im gonna say I have some memories that are a great deal to me. One of them that I can share is its been a dream of mine to become a Police Officer and Cheif Ralph Painter and the whole squad of the Rainier Police Department made that happened. I served under him for 5 years and loved every minute of it. I will use the knowledge you have given me to go go forth in life. God bless you Painter and I know you will be watching over all of us. R.I.P Cheif Ralph Painter. EOW 1-5-2011

Ex-Reserve. Toby Londo
Rainier Police Departmentz-Friend

January 6, 2011

My prayers go out to his family. As I once heard a minister say
"it's not Officer Down. It's Angel Up"

Francois Obasi police officer
Lvmpd

January 6, 2011

What a sad day in such a small town. This is just another sensless reminder that you arn't safe anywhere. I can't think every and all members of the Law Enforcemant community for doing their very difficult job. The respect you deserve and get a so differnt. RIP Chief Painter it sure sounds like you lived a great life and touched so many lives. This was such a terrible act. The officers of the Rainier Police Department as well as the Painter family will be in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Sir job well done.

TSP
Citizen Vancouver WA

January 6, 2011

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Police Chief Ralph Painter and to the entire Rainer Police Department. Your years of service, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. RIP Sir

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

January 6, 2011

My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to friends and family of Chief Ralph Painter. God, please be with this family and comfort them in their sorrow, Amen.

Toni Swogger
citizen

January 6, 2011

Rest in peace, Chief.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept. - 24th Dist.

January 6, 2011

Painter Family, your loss is great. May Gif be with you during this sad time.

S. Wilson
Wife of CSO Officer, Alabama Middle District

January 6, 2011

Ralph, You were one of the best cops to come into Rainier. You will be missed and are loved by your family and friends. May you be their angel looking down on them and keeping them safe. RIP.

hilderbrand family
friend

January 6, 2011

Thank you for your years of dedicated service to your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. Rest in Peace.

Deputy Polanski
Marion County Sheriff's Office (OR)

January 6, 2011

Rest in Peace Chief. May the Lord welcome you, and comfort you and your family and department. Thank you for your service, we have the watch from here.

Officer Makovy P343
Grand Prairie PD (TX)

January 6, 2011

Ralph was a man who loved the Lord. It was reflective in the way he lived and in his service to the city of Rainer. I'm blessed to have met Ralph as a teenager and to know him over the years growing up into the man I am today. It was men like him and other that helped shape my own walk with Christ. You will be missed my friend.

Todd Gregory

Todd Gregory
Friend

January 6, 2011

Sounds like we all lost a true crime fighter today. Didn't know 'ya Chief Painter but you will be sorely missed. Thank you for your service & your sacrifice. Prayers sent for your loving family.

Ofc. N. Drakulich
Cicero, IL. PD

January 6, 2011

Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase his good deeds. May he be at peace & free from suffering. May his next journey be one of great peace and joy. Rest in peace, Sir.

R/Sergeant Joe Finazzo (Ret)
Santa Clara County Sheriff, CA

January 6, 2011

Ralph understood that policing is not about doing just what you are "allowed" to do when enforcing the law, but doing what you ought to do.

He demonstrated a love for his community and his commitment to the ideals of our profession day in and day out. He believed in his job, and those he served believed in him. Rest in peace, Ralph.

Jeff Dickerson
Columbia County Sheriff

January 6, 2011

REST IN PEACE.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

January 6, 2011

My heart goes out to the family of Ralph Painter. He helped my family on various occasions and I remember over the years he bought girl scout cookies from my little children. This is a devastating loss for Rainier. Prayers and blessings to his family and fellow comrades.

Brenda Karlinski
Former resident

January 6, 2011

Godspeed.....job well done.

Anonymous

January 6, 2011

Tragic, but thank you for your service to your city. Glad to see that even the Chief of police is out fighting crime and willing to lay his life down for the citizens of his city. My prayers are with your department and your family.

MT2
US Navy

January 5, 2011