Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ryan, you are a hero.

Special Agent
Friend

August 5, 2011

My prayers are with your family, friends and agency during this time. Rest in peace.

Sergeant Jason Pearson
Winter Garden PD

August 5, 2011

Thank you for your service, you'll be missed. May those who love you find peace in this troubled time.

IEA Chris Campbell
DHS/ICE

August 5, 2011

You were part of the ERO family. RIP Ryan, you died a hero.

My wife's and my heart goes out to Kristi and the McCandless Family.

Eric Ouellette, SDDO
DHS/ICE

August 5, 2011

Recently I lost my dear friend Sgt Steve Kenner, Bismarck ,ND PD to a fatal shooting while he responded to a domestic situation. My heart aches for the loss of your Officer, for hisfiancee, family, the force and the community for which he served. As a mother of a State Trooper, sister of a retired police officer and a grandaughter of a police officer I share your sorrow. Those who put themselves on the line to uphold the values and safety of communities are not often recognized. It is those who do not recognize the importance of those values that choose to dishonor the value of life itself. May the memories of Officer McCandles shine continously on. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

My deepest sympathies,
Penny Wedin-Gorden

Penny Wedin-Gorden
Mother of a Minnesota State Trooper, sister of Retired Police Officer

August 5, 2011

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer James McCandless, and the Rapid City P.D. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Officer McCandless, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

August 5, 2011

Ryan,
Our world is much lessor since you left us for heaven my friend. Until I make that journey myself, I am left with experiences shared that I will hold close in my heart. Know that Kristi has a great deal of support and we will all help her with healing the hurt. God Bless and Take Care.

Lyle Brabazon
DHS/ICE

August 5, 2011

Officer McCandless

Thank you for your service and my prayers are with all your love ones and department.

To Officer McCandless Fiancée, my heart is with you, since having seen the pain my daughter has and is still going through, since her Fiancée Josh Norris EOW 07/05/2007 had gotten engaged the day before he left us. As I told her, there is no doubt of his love for you since he asked you out of some may others he could have shared his life, but you are still with us and God will send love your way again. Do not dwell on what could have been, but remember the time that you had with him, you will never forget him and that is ok, he was your love. But as you heal and remember him, smile that smile that he loved, laugh since I am sure he loved to hear you laugh and live since he would want you to live. Below is something sent to my daughter and woud like to share with you .

A LETTER FROM HEAVEN
To my fiance', some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and he said,'I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.'
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....In the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human they are bound to bring tears.
But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you would not understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one step at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you to;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented...that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low:
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.
I will always be with you!

Retired Deputy John Latour
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

August 5, 2011

RIP my brother. You and your family will be in our prayers.

IEA Carey
DHS/ICE

August 5, 2011

Thank you for your service and the sacrifice that you gave to keep the streets for your citizens safe. May your family and fellow officers find comfort in this tough time. Thoughts and prayers from my family to yours. RIP Brother, we have the watch from here.

Officer Rob Forster
Sioux Falls PD

August 5, 2011

As a fellow law enforcement officer and native of Mid-Michigan (Gladwin Co.) I am so sad to see that we have lost yet another local hero. It always hurts to lose anyone so senselessly but the wound is especially deep in our small local roots.

God bless you sir, heroes live forever. My prayers go out to your family, friends, and co-workers during this dark hour.

Officer Jessica (Powell) Johnson #183
Grand Rapids (MI) PD

August 5, 2011

See you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen
Milwaukee PD (Wisconsin)

August 4, 2011

You were a friend, voice of reason, and role model. You led by example and weren't afraid to let us know if we were making a bad decision. We all took your advice to heart even if we didn't want it at the time. If you were around everyone knew it was going to be a good time. "Pickup Man" has a whole new meaning now. Love ya Ryan, god speed

Craig Vance
Friend

August 4, 2011

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -George Orwell

May God's comfort be with your family, friends, and fellow Officers.

My heart is heavy and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Speed Brother.

Brother in Blue
Bismarck PD

August 4, 2011

My thoughts and prayers to Ryan's fiancee and his immediate family during this most difficult time. Best wishes to all of the RCPD family and the injured officers during this tragic time as well. All of you are the consummate professionals day in and day out and I think of you often. God Bless you all.

Shawn Markovic
Bismarck ND

Shawn Markovic
Former RCPD Officer #373

August 4, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family, friends and fellow officers. My deepest sympathies go out to Ryan's fiance'. I also lost a fiance' in the line of duty just a few weeks before our wedding date. I know there are no words to ease the pain now, but please know others are "there with you". I pray the Lord will bring you peace and comfort. As you walk through this storm, you are truly never alone.

Kathy H.
Cheyenne, WY

August 4, 2011

Recently I lost my Dear Friend Sgt Steve Kenner who was killed in the line of duty. There are no words to express the sincere sorrow I feel for Officer McCandless's loss of life to a similar situation. As a grandaughter, a sister, friend and also a mother of law enforcement members my heart aches that those we send out to serve with honor and dignity are taken by those who know not those values. Please know you are all in my thought and prayers... and may his memory live on to shine for those who toil daily to keep our world a better place.

Sincerely, Penny Wedin-Gorden
Bismarck, ND

Penny Wedin-Gorden

August 4, 2011

May you rest in peace. It is a terrible tragedy to lose such a dedicated young Officer.

Sgt. Ret. Dennis Norling
Phoenix Police Department

August 4, 2011

Our city weeps for you. We have lost a great protector, thank you, kind sir, for all of the sacrifices you made for us over the 6 years you served us. I am eternally grateful.
God Bless and keep you and your family in the palms of His Holy hands.

J. Hansen
Citizen Rapid City

August 4, 2011

I remember always picking on eachother through school elememtary on up. You were always a great person. You will always be remembered as a Hero. Thank you for protecting your citizens.

Amanda
Class Mate

August 4, 2011

I was shocked that the location this occured was a place I had passed hundreds of times while visiting your community. Your incident definitely hits home for a lot of officers and families and has been a too-common occurrence for our area this year. You have sealed your memory as a hero as well as your fellow injured officers and you should be honored at the public's support following your passing. When I am watching the media updates on your incident I feel a renewed faith in the public after seeing their support for you, your family and your department. You made the ultimate sacrifice and any LEO would be honored to take your place had they been called to do so. Your heroic passing has also greatly affected and inspired the future generations to follow in your career path.
So it is that I again don the uniform and gear and get back in the patrol car tonight to carry on what you also knew what just and good.
Please watch over those who worked beside you and those of us working elsewhere that are left to carry on. You are our inspiration...

Officer, southcentral Montana

Officer
Montana, Friend of fellow RCPD officer

August 4, 2011

On behalf of the members of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), I offer you our deepest sympathy. Officer McCandless, his family and friends, and the members of the Rapid City Police Department are in our thoughts and prayers.

Maureen Becker
International Police Mountain Bike Assn

August 4, 2011

On behalf of the members of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), I offer you our deepest sympathy. Officer McCandless, his family and friends, and the members of the Rapid City Police Department are in our thoughts and prayers.

Maureen Becker
International Police Mountain Bike Assn

August 4, 2011

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten Officer McCandless. Rest In Peace brother.

Deputy Eric Reetz
Stearns County Sheriff's Office

August 4, 2011

Angels surround our family and friends,
as they don their uniforms again.
This day to continue to protect and to serve,
give them the peace, the strength, they deserve.
Please hold them close and keep them safe, keep them alert, in your gentle embrace.
As they walk tall and proud, convincingly to hide, the anguish they must hold inside. Keep them safe, we ask you now, as they perform their jobs somehow.
Give them courage, please, as their day must begin,
With a gentle whisper, we bless you, James, Nick, and Tim.

Our prayers, thoughts and blessings surround you all. Terry and Suzanne Comrie

Suzanne and Terry Comrie
Pennington County Dispatch & Pennington County Sheriff Deputy

August 4, 2011