St. Petersburg Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Monday, January 24, 2011
Reflections for Sergeant Thomas John Baitinger
Rest in Peace sir, thank you for your service.
Agent Dwayne Tullos
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (State Police)
March 3, 2011
Im so sorry for the loss of your officer, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I also am a survivor of a fallen officer. I lost my Brother in Alabama EOW 6/17/2004.Please know you are not alone in this,hope this brings some comfort.RIP God Bless all these brave men and woman everywhere.
brenda wicinski
no relationship
February 22, 2011
Sgt. Baitinger,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officer for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of St. Petersburg. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
USBP
February 17, 2011
Thank you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
Virginia
February 8, 2011
You are a HERO and HEROES never die!!! RIP Sergeant!
Deputy Sheriff Jay Armstrong
Orange County Sheriff's Office TAC Unit
February 5, 2011
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, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is 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 to 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 a 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 you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"
Anonymous
February 3, 2011
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.
N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
February 1, 2011
Rest in peace and my prayers are with your love ones.
Deputy Latour ( retired)
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
February 1, 2011
To the family and friends of Sgt. Tom Baitinger and his fellow officers:
On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Tom was tragically .
killed.
To Officer Baitinger's family, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in the Bay Area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace.
This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Tom gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 24, 2011.
Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD (CA), eow 4/24/05
Phyllia Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater
January 31, 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
I cannot begin to comprehend your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that there are many who are praying for comfort and peace for you and your family. Your husband was a true hero and his death is a tragic loss to us all.
Sharon Ledbetter
Mother of OPD officer
January 31, 2011
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
January 31, 2011
Rest in peace. Thanks for your service and sacrifice. God bless your family.
OFC. CARL DURBIN
PORT ST LUCIE PD
January 30, 2011
May Your Service & Dedication To the City Of St Petersburg Never be forgotten .You surely will be missed by any and all that knew you .May you Rest In Peace!!!
Citizen Robert Booth
Former St Petersburg Resident
January 29, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Baitinger as well as the brotherhood at St.Petersburg Police Department. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!
Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department
January 29, 2011
Rest in peace. You have provided for the public what not many are willing to provide. By doing so you've laid down your life, you are a hero, God bless you and your family. We have the watch from here...
Deputy S. Sullivan
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
January 28, 2011
We grieve with Officer Baitinger and his wife, we feel her pain. We pray that God sends His blessings to help her through this terrible event that took him away from her. No words will bring him back but he will be remembered forever as a brave protector of all the citizens of this city. He gave his life, not in vain, but because he loved the freedoms the city and its citizens enjoy. We will be ever grateful for his bravery.
John and Pat Oliver
St Petersburg Citizens
January 28, 2011
I was born and raised in St. Pete. My father, Capt Mac Burl McCarty, was PIO for SPPD for several years. My mother, an aunt and an uncle still live there. I visit several times a year. I am so sorry for the loss of these fine officer's to the community and their families. They will not be forgotten.
Officer Robert McCarty
Williams AZ Police Dept
January 28, 2011
God needed another protector. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of all those who have fallen in the line of duty. It was just last year that God took a fine artist home with him. He was one of my cousins, a marine and an inspiration to every step I take further in life. I greatly admire for him for determination and perseverance throughout his short life, as I do to all of those that have passed. I look forward to the one day I get to see him again and meet all of these heroic people.
God bless~*
Anonymous
January 28, 2011
Rest in Peace my Brother, God Bless you, your Family and your Dept.
Officer Bob Swope #5609
Olmsted Falls Police Dept.Ohio
January 28, 2011
Rest in peace, brother. May God be with the family of Sergeant Baitinger during this time of mourning. We've got the watch from here.
BL Mitchell, Patrol
FCPD, VA
January 28, 2011
Our hearts and prayers go out to your family and friends in their time of sorrow. May God Bless and Rest in Peace!
Cpl David Murphy
TX DPS
January 27, 2011
I'm so sorry for your loss. That seems so distant and maybe unheartfelt to you, but to me it is truly a feeling that I can't any other way describe. My son, David Kimes, usually works this shift, when his wife Rhonda got a job, his shift changed. That morning their baby, Gage, 20 months old was running a temperature and David did not go into work that day. I still can not grasp, from a mother's point of view how your family must feel. I will promise you, Sergeant Baitinger, that I will pray for your family daily, that God will take care of them and comfort them in this time that God chose to take you. Enjoy your time with Jesus and God, I can only imagine what a joyous homecoming you had along with your friend and fellow police officer Jeffrey Yasowitz. Enjoy each others company while you wait for us to join you in that glorious place called Heaven.
Anonymous
January 27, 2011
Rest in peace, Officer.
My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones.
Greater love hath no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Friend of USFS Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9/20/08
Anonymous
January 27, 2011
Rest in peace my brave brother.
Lt. Ohio S.O
January 27, 2011
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