Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

every day you brave men and weman put on your uniforms and wave gobye to your families you leave behind never to think it might be your last time kissing your wife or playing with your children thank you all, the (men and weman) who lost their lives while they answer the call of duty only a chossen few could do.

non-officer
law-enforcement supporter

May 27, 2011

Officer Garton, I have two brothers-in-law that are former Hawthorne PD officers, and I know how much they, and all of your brothers in law enforcement, are mourning your death. I grew up in El Segundo and went to high school with the ESPD officer injured in the accident that tragically took your life. Yesterday was truly a sad day for all of us and my thoughts and prayers go out to your wife and children. May God be with them during their time of grief.

Special Agent Vic Bello
U.S. Department of Justice

May 27, 2011

MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF OFFICER GARTON. MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU WITH THE PEACE AND LOVE OF HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST. OFFICER GARTON, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT SC

May 27, 2011

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Hawthorne Police Department. May you rest in peace.

Off. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

May 27, 2011

My condolences to the family, friends and co workers of Police Officer Andrew Garton and the Hawthorne Police Department . My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May you take some comfort in knowing that the entire law enforcement community grieves with you. May you rest in peace.

May the children of Officer Garton know that their Dad is a HERO who we will never forget.

Lt. John Kelly
Nassau County,N.Y. Police Dept.

May 27, 2011

Rest in Peace Brother. God Blass your family.

Det. JP McGrath (Retired)
Schenectady Police Dept.

May 27, 2011

I am a motor officer
Some say like no other

It is a steel horse I ride
And I can not hide my pride

I sit on steel, leather, and chrome
as it is over this land I roam.

I took a hard fall
when I answered my last call.

Although there is a tear on your cheek
remember it is with my God I meet.

I now ride on Heaven's warm streets
where the sun always shines on my new beat.

I've traded in this hard helmet
and now wear a golden halo.

I am with the other fallen Angels
who also answered no last call.

Know that everything is alright and I am fine
as I now ride with a new thin blue line.

For the day has come.
My God has called me home.

He said I need you here on this new beat
to ride and protect us on Heaven's streets.

You are My Motor Officer.
And I say you are like no other.

Author Unknown

Motor Unit
Newington CT PD

May 27, 2011

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

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

May 27, 2011

Rest in peace motor brother. Godspeed.

Commander
Riverside County District Attorney's Office

May 27, 2011

Andrew,

I'm glad to have known and worked with you over the past few years, between our respective traffic divisions and assignments. You're a decent, respected and great man who will be missed by all those whom you have touched.

May God comfort your family , your brothers and sisters with the Hawthorne PD and everyone else who has been personally affected by this tragedy.

Rest in Peace Andrew, with all of our other brother and sister officers who have gone before you.

Investigator Dean Young
Inglewood PD (CA)

May 27, 2011

On behalf of the 1800 Deputy Sheriffs and D.A. Investigators of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, I extend my most sincere condolences to Officer Gartons family and to the members of the Hawthorne Police Department. May God give you strength during these difficult times. Officer Garton, you are a hero. Thank you for your service. We will always keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Inv. Tom Dominguez, President
Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (CA)

May 27, 2011

May God Bless Officer Andrew Garton. May God Bless and be with his family, friends, and coworkers. May he give you all some peace and guidance during this very traumatic and sad time.
I am a surviving wife myself and I understand all that you are going through, although it varies from person to person, but we all will go through some very hard and difficult times now, in the days and weeks ahead and in our life time.
If anyone needs someone to talk to that has and still is going through a lot of the emotions as well as other things please email me or call me and I would be happy to help anyone at any time the best way that I can.

With prayers and love,
Gina Sharra-Surviving Wife of Deputy Allen Sharra-Kings County Sheriff's Dept.).
[email protected]
916-897-9916 (Home)
916-585-1565 (Cell-text or call)

Surviving Wife/Gina Sharra
Kings County Sheriff's Department, Hanford, CA

May 27, 2011

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

May 27, 2011

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 whos 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

May 27, 2011

Officer Garton, I would like to say thank you for your service. I heard about the accident as it happened and I began to pray hoping officers involved would be ok. My heart sank when I heard news of your passing. I did not know you personally, But I am a supporter of law enforcement. I salute you, thank you for your service and god bless. I will be praying for your wife and kids. You will not be forgotten.

Alexander Pratt
Son of Ret. Pasadena Sgt. Pratt

May 27, 2011

Every day we serve our jurisdiction in a dangerous manor. Andrew gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to honor his fellow brother. May GOD be with the family and agency.

Motor Officer A. Cater
Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD

May 27, 2011

Officer Garton, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

May 27, 2011

God Bless Officer Garton, his family and friends. 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

May 27, 2011

The Motorcycle Officer

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.

They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...
They look so proud and noble, like Knights come from the past.

Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one...
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.

And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them
and young ones ask their parents, why the officers have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.

Like officers of steel, on Silver Wings, they sparkle in the light...
then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.

Side by side, they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...
You see your reflection in his eyes; you know that you are safe.

For motor officers are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again.

GOD SPEED!

Officer T. Vo
Dept of Defense Police - Los Angeles

May 27, 2011

My deepest condolences to our brothers/sisters at the Hawthorne Police Department and to the family of Officer Garton. This shows that whenever you put on the uniform, you risk your life. RIP Sir, and thank you for your service.

Police Officer II Michael Fernandez
Los Angeles Police Department

May 27, 2011

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

May 27, 2011

My thoughts are with you, your family and police family.

Brother of Jeremy Chambers
EOW 04-24-2006

Chris Chambers
Saint Louis Co Police Dept

May 27, 2011

R.I.P. brother Andrew Garton!!!

Husker Street Officer

May 27, 2011

May the Lord grant you peace Andrew and pour out His grace on all family members.

Inv. Mario Sainz
Los Angeles County Coroner

May 27, 2011

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class A uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok youre with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

May 27, 2011