Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K. Murphy
Union PD,NJ

September 16, 2011

Joe, God bless you and your family.. Truly a sad day.

Detective David Mallery
Cecil County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2011

I met Joe several years ago , through a mutual friend Joe had some kind words and guidance in my time of need. The words I hold dear to this day. Joe will be greatly missed and always remembered. The people who didnt know Joe missed out on the most outstanding police officer and person that you couldve ever known. RIP brother please save a spot for me at roll call in the house of the lord.

Dean
Elkton Police (former officer)

September 16, 2011

God bless you and your family on this sad day.

Detective David Mallery
Cecil County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 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 Dept., Columbia, SC

September 16, 2011

Thank you for your service. You will never be forgotten. To Sgt. Szczerba's family and coworkers, I am sorry.

Sister
Sister of fallen LEO

September 16, 2011

My heart and sympathy go out the family and department of this fallen hero. May God be with them all during this difficult time. Many prayers and blessings.......

Cathy Ruddell
DeSales University Police

September 16, 2011

Rest In Peace Sarge. Know your killer is in custody and will pay for his crime. Watch over as your fellow Officers continue on with the watch in your memory. My condolences to your Family and the New Castle County Police Department.

PO Fred Nordt
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

September 16, 2011

May God give your family and friends the strength to get through these difficult time. Heroes will never be forgotten and you, Sergeant Joseph Szczerba, are a hero. I salute you SIR. R.I.P. Brother

Detective Senior Sergeant (Retired)
Victoria Police, Australia

September 16, 2011

On behalf of all law enforcement officers in the state of florida we salute you one last time as we honor your service and ultimate sacrifice, may your family find the strengh to cope with this tragedy.

deputy sheriff ret carlos farina
Broward County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2011

Rest in peace, may God be with your family.

Officer Pisani
Eddystone

September 16, 2011

Praying for this officers family and coworkers. He died a here...protecting and serving. RIP

E-911 dispatcher and wife of police capt
Calhoun county MS Sheriff dept

September 16, 2011

R.I. P. Joe, You are in our prayers.

O'h lord while I'm on my beat
May I know that you're with me,
And protect me as I go to guard
Other's lives and property.

Help me ignore those who scorn
And show me no respect,
But be mindful of all citizens
I've sworn to protect.
Be with my fellow officers
And guard their safety too.
May I always put duty first
In the work that I must do.

May I not disgrace the uniform
But bring pride to the badge I wear.
That I'd be a good policeman, Lord
Would be my only prayer.
Amen

Sgt. M.Hertzfeld
Delaware Capitol Police

September 16, 2011

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

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

September 16, 2011

I am so sorry for your loss.My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Dom
just someone that read the sad news...

September 16, 2011

It is the police officer - not the reporter, who protects freedom of the press.

It is the police officer - not the poet, who guards our freedom of speech.

It is the armed police officer, training in the use of deadly force, ready to defend the innocent against aggression and the weak against the violent, standing ready to serve and protect even with his life if necessary.

It is the police officer who preserves your rights to keep and bare arms. It is the police officer - not the politician, who insures freedom of assembly.

It is the police officer - not the campus organizer, who safeguards the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the police officer - not the defense attorney, who reads Miranda warnings and informs defendants of inalienable rights.

It is the police officer who is willing to disclose all evidence, even evidence which may weaken a case, in order to protect the innocent and insure that justice shall prevail.

It is the police officer - not the preacher, who safeguards our liberties, including freedom of religion.

It is the police officer - not the judges, who seeks out witnesses, thus preserving rights of the accused.

It is the police officer, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

It is the police officer, who vigilantly serves the public, protecting society from evil, and preserving all our freedoms.


My prayers go out to Sgt. Szczerba's family and the law enforcement community....it deeply saddens me that we have lost a true hero.

Diane Paulino
citizen

September 16, 2011

God bless and be with the family, fellow officers and friends of Sgt. Szczerba. Rest in peace, faithful servant.

Chaplain Bill
Canyon Co. Sheriffs Office

September 16, 2011

Joe,

Thank you for all you taught me and your leadership as my Sergeant. I will never forget you. Farewell my brother, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Cpl Brett W. Conley #2509
New Castle County Police Department

September 16, 2011

Rest in peace brother. I am retired after 26 years with Baltimore Co. PD and now with TUPD and never want to hear of the sacrifice of another law enforcement officers life, but they continue .....your service will be remembered.

Capt. Jerry Foracappo
Towson U PD

September 16, 2011

A true hero. Thank you for keeping us safe. May God bless you and your family.

Daughter and Sister of Police Officers

September 16, 2011

Rest-in-Peace Sergeant Szczerba, Your Brothers will continue on in your memory.

Trooper-Pilot David Nichols, retired
Virginia State Police

September 16, 2011

Rest In Peace and May God Bless You. Thank You, Terry Granato

Terry Granato
b

September 16, 2011

I heart goes out to the Szczerba family and the NCCPD during this time of loss. Always hate hearing news like this, especially when it’s close to home.

DFC S. Hamilton
Wicomico Co. S.O. - MD

September 16, 2011

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

September 16, 2011

It always saddens me to hear of another tragic death of a fellow law enforcement officer. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace.

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

September 16, 2011