Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Thomas Raymond Hayes of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 74 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 20, 2024

A little over a couple of decades ago a friend gave me 2 Christmas cards one signed and one not. The new one was a cartoon Santa as a Raiders Coach in the locker room giving the team instructions on a blackboard. I loved it. He also told me the story behind it. The card has been framed and displayed every Holiday season ever since. RIP Officer Hayes thank you for your service.

Retired Deputy Vaughn Anthony
Civilian

November 27, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Thomas Raymond Hayes of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 20, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Thomas Raymond Hayes of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 20, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Thomas Raymond Hayes of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 67 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 20, 2021

Officer Hayes,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Columbus. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 20, 2021

Rest in peace....I remember meeting you when I was in high school at my parents house in 1977?? You were such a nice guy and my Dad really admired and liked you....

Dawn Kaufman

March 20, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hayes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2020

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 21, 2018

My name is Bill Meyer: In 1979 lived 3 houses East of Tom and Mary. I remember he and Mary had a little Dog. that got away at times. At that time i had an Irish Setter. In the years since he was shot i lost track of he and Mary. They had so much to live for. I wish that i had kept in touch with them.

Civilian
Friend

March 15, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Thomas Raymond Hayes of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

January 20, 2018

I never met Tom, but we remained in touch through cards and mail ! I was injured in June 1979,in an auto accident on my way home from work, and after reading about Tom's injury in december of the same year, I made a contribution to him and a life long friendship began. We talked, in our letters, about sports, the military, politics and whatever came to mind, and always seemed like we were on the same wave length. We were friends for life and when I learned from his wife, Mary, on his passing, I felt a void, that exists to this day. We are all part of a very elite brotherhood and sisterhood, and when one of us gives his life in the line of duty, we and America, lose ! Rest in Peace, my brother, you will always be in my thoughts and prayers !

P.O Brian T. Donnelly (Retired)
N.Y.P.D.

December 24, 2016

What a thing to learn today.

I met Tom as a high school student, a couple of years after he was shot. He made time, and not a little effort, to drive to northern Ohio to speak to our youth group at a religious retreat at my invitation. He told us, on the night he was shot, he believed he was dying, and -- while he might have been able to -- didn't fire his own gun as the kids ran from the store, because he didn't want his last act on Earth to be the taking of a human life -- any life.

His Spirit, then and since, was always so much greater than his body could contain. So much so, that, 30 years later, a high school kid who met him one day -- now a fifty-year-old man -- finding one of his old business cards by chance in the folds of an old notebook from that retreat (he was a cartoonist, too), didn't toss it with all of my other clutter. After thirty years, I wanted so much to find out where he was, I searched for him, and just now found he had gone home.

Thanks, Tom. See ya soon, buddy....

Dave

May 12, 2013

I remember Tommy well. We both started the academy on Dec 5, 1973. He had considered either being a police officer or becoming a priest.
Tommy was a 'Fun' person to be around: a good sense of humor, a good approach to problems, and a strong body.
I was very sad when he was shot and had to transfer to the detective bureau as a 'police artist'.

Larry Dudley-Ex-Patrolman
Columbus Ohio Division of Police

June 24, 2012

RIP Now Sir, a hero you were

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 13, 2012

Remembering my friend, Tom Hayes, on the first anniversary of his death, 1/20/2012, the world is a lesser place, you are gone but not forgotten! Always in my thoughts and especially in my prayers, may God have mercy on your soul.Mary, thinking of you, especially today.

Police Officer (retired) Brian Donnelly
N.Y.P.D. (friend)

January 20, 2012

On Jan. 20, 2011 three heroes were called home (Officer Tom Hayes, Officer Roger Castillo and Officer Amanda Haworth). The example of these heroes will serve to steel the resolve of their brethren for years to come. May God bless Officer Hayes' family and the members of the Columbus Police.

Police Officer (Retired) Gregory Kral
Miami-Dade Police Dept. FL

December 27, 2011

To the family and friends of Officer Tom Hayes, his fellow officers, and most especially to Tom:

We honor your service to your community as a law enforcement officer and you will always be remembered and revered. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Tom died in the line of duty. It is obvious he was well-loved by many and well-respected by his peers as reflected in the loving reflections left for him.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you. To Tom's family, you are in my heart's embrace today. I share your anquish in losing a beloved family member which surely has to be life's greatest sorrow. As we are fast approaching both your first Christmas without him and his eow anniversary date, your are all in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.

He fought such a valiant struggle for many years, and I know his family faced it with him.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service Tom gave to his community and the citizens of Ohio, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 20 , 2011

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 23, 2011

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Every time I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the officer they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Hayes. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. (The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. I can also be found on Face Book.) You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Tom, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Tom's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Tom's life was about so much more than the way he died. Tom will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Hayes, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been eight years and he's still very much missed and forever loved.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

March 8, 2011

My deepest sympathys to family and fellow officers.Rest In Peace.

Christina Brookhart
Mother of Deputy Don McCutcheon EOW 2/8/2010

March 6, 2011

Tom displayed many of the charecteristics of a hero. He will always remain one in all our hearts. Blessings to his family and everyone who knew him. This ones for you, Tom...Cheers.

Capt. Jo Darling
Friend

March 4, 2011

Officer Hayes,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Columbus. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

February 13, 2011

Thank you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
Virginia

February 8, 2011

RIP brother. A blue ribbon has been placed around a tree in my yard in honor of your sacrifice.

Cpl. Julia Gilroy
MCPD Maryland

January 31, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Hayes as well as the brotherhood at Columbus Police Department. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

January 29, 2011