Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I had the honor of sitting with your dad last night at Project Blue Light. He held my hand when I cried, and I did the same for him when it was his turn for tears. Thank you very much for your service and sacrafice. I can only imagine the sadness your parents must be feeling with the holidays here. Please send them love and blessings from heaven. And, I'm sure you've met my brother-in-law by now...please tell him we miss him!!

Stacy Darrow
Sister-in-law of Trooper Jeffrey Werda, EOW 4/6/11

December 15, 2011

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiance 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 McCandless, especially to his fiancee. 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 James 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 James' life and the MAN that he was. Remember that James' life was about so much more than the way he died. James will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer McCandless, 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 fiance Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been eight & a half years and he's still very much missed and forever loved.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

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

December 14, 2011

To the family and friends of Officer James McCandless, his fellow officers, and most especially to James:

We honor your service 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 James was killed 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.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service James gave to his community and the citizens of South Dakota, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 2, 2011.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 16, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the brutal murder of our brother officers. Our deepest sympathies to the families of Officer McCandless and Officer Armstrong and to all of their fellow members of the Rapid City Pollice Department. We will pray for the survivors of the families. AC

Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police

October 23, 2011

Happy Birthday Ryan! I know we lost touch after college, but I will always remember all the good times hanging out at your place and Carol's next door during my time at Ferris.

You were a great person, and a good friend.

Steve Bissett
Friend

October 19, 2011

Rest in peace, sir. 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

September 18, 2011

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 you’re 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.

Retired Deputy
Minnehaha County SO, South Dakota

September 11, 2011

I only had a short relationship with you but you were a super teacher. You taught me many things in our class. Thanks for your service as a public servent and may God recieve you and give you all the blessings that you deserve as a Police officer. God bless your family as well. We will miss you.

SSGT
Security Forces USAF and National American University/ Student

September 7, 2011

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

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

September 5, 2011

Thank you for your service, Officer McCandless; may you rest in peace. To the friends, family and extended law enforcement family at the Rapid City Police Department, my heart goes out to you. I am very sorry for your loss.

Reserve Sergeant L. Brown
Rainier Police Department

August 24, 2011

Rest in peace my brother.

Jamie Foster
USAF Security Police

August 22, 2011

Such a sad and tragic loss of two young lives. Your bravery and dedication to your communities speak volumes of your characters. My thoughts go out to your family, friends and work colleagues. We have lost two brave brothers for which we shall continue the fight but we shall continue the fight.

Cst Aaron Andrews
Australian Federal Police

August 19, 2011

Sergeant Kevin Lynch from New York said it all so very well.
I agree & support his writings.
To the family...remember & know he was doing what he loved.
None of us in Law Enforcement are out there for any other reason than , we have a passion for what we do.
Rest in peace Brother James Ryan McCandless...your watch has ended....we will carry on for you.
Deputy C.C. Marotta/ L-10

Deputy Sheriff C.C. Marotta/L-10
Liberty County Sheriff Office

August 19, 2011

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, RCPD, and citizens of RC. RIP Ofc McCandless. You will be forever remembered as a hero. You wore the badge proudly and served your community well and paid the ultimate price by giving your life for the safety of the people you will always be thought of as a hero. Thank you!

Becci Richardson
daughter of SDHP Ofc Steven Hoffman EOW 3/12/80

August 17, 2011

It is with both extreme sadness and a great sense of pride that I learned of Officer McCandless's death in the line of duty. My sadness stems from the knowledge that nothing will ever bring him back to his loved ones, and they will deal with the hole in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

However, I take great pride as well, because Officer McCandless, along with every officer I have ever had the honor and privilege of serving with, responded when the call for his help was made. While others run away from danger, every moment of every day, police officers across the country run towards the sounds of danger; be it shots fired or calls for help. Officer McCandless's death, a tragedy of inhuman proportions, nevertheless embodies the values of honor, courage and commitment every law enforcement officer strives to possess.

I never met, nor even knew Officer McCandless; yet I am proud to have served alongside him as a member of the law enforcement community. May God rest his brave soul and may you take some small measure of comfort in his valour, bravery and committment to protect the people he served.

Sergeant Kevin Lynch
New York City Police Department

August 17, 2011

Sincere condolences to the family, friends and the Rapid City Police Department.

I am so very, very sorry.

St. Michael, enroll him in your Heavenly force where he may be as proud to guard the throne of God as he was to guard the cities of men.

Ptl. M.A. Ryan
New York State University Police Brockport (ret.)

August 17, 2011

Rest in peace Sir, you will never be forgotten. Another life taken senselessly too soon. And yet it wasnt a life of an innocent civilian you were sworn to protect because you were there! Until we meet in heavens roll call. GODSPEED!

Officer Aaron Sparks
Newbury police NH

August 17, 2011

May God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest in Peace James.

Lieutenant
NYPD

August 17, 2011

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

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney
Virginia

August 15, 2011

If tears could build a stairwell and memories were a lane, I would walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again. No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye...you were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why. Our hearts still ache in sadness, and secret tears still flow, what it means to lose you know one will ever know.

With deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer McCandless, the Rapid Ciy PD and the citizens of the city of Rapid City

Bernadette Kostelecky
citizen of Bismarck, ND

August 13, 2011

MAY THE LORD WATCH OVER YOUR FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SRVICE MY BROTHER.WE TAKE IT FROM HERE.WE WILL BE GIVING OUR BEST TO OUR BELOVED USA UNTIL GOD DECIDE TO.
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER UNTIL WE ALL MEET!

OFFICER PONS
MIAMI DADE,FL

August 12, 2011

Rest in peace my Brother

Deputy S. Yates
Covington County Sheriff Dept. (Ms.)

August 11, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this brave officer. Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

August 11, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, Ryan. I remember all the calls we went on together and how much I respected your dedication and the joy you had in being a police officer. We will miss you, and you will never be forgotten. God Bless.

Jennilyn
Former 586

Special Agent Jennilyn Oster
NCIS

August 11, 2011

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

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

August 10, 2011