Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of sorrow. Please know that Tom is looking down on you.
Anyone who puts there life on the line everyday is a HERO.
May his Children always remember that there dad was a true "HERO".

Relative of officer Sean Wissink EOW 2-11-07

God Speed.

MICHELLE RODEWALD
RELATIVE OF FALLEN OFFICER

November 30, 2012

Rest in Paradise, as my granddaughter whose Dad is a fallen officer said. Prayers for your family, friends and colleagues.

Margaret Mitchell
Mother-in-law Fallen Officer Greg EOW 11-29-2009

November 30, 2012

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and partners of Officer Decker.
To Officer Decker: Rest easy brother your watch is finished, we will take it from here.
To Officer Decker's partners: I have also lost a partner in the line of duty. Hold fast to each other and to god. Know that your partner is a hero and hero's never die there spirit lives forever.

Deputy Jon Cline
Aitkin County Sheriff's Office

November 30, 2012

Thank you Officer Decker for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state pf Minnesota. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my brother.

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

November 30, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your children.

Sgt. Chris Nelson
Winona, MN Police

November 30, 2012

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

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

November 30, 2012

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.


Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 30, 2012

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"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

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 30, 2012

Prayers to family and friends.
Rest in peace Officer Decker.

Sgt. Randy Keenan (Ret)
Alameda, CA Police Dept.

November 30, 2012

RIP brother.

A131
USBP

November 30, 2012

From the pen of President Abraham Lincoln, written November 21, 1864.


“............. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they(he) died to save. 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.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln”

Officer M. Reuss
Eagan MN Police Department

November 30, 2012

R.I.P. Brother. You will never be forgotten!

Police Officer Jared Warneke
Kenyon Police Department

November 30, 2012

Once again, the mourning bands will be worn because of the senseless act of a coward. From what I have heard about Tom, he would have been happy to spend some time helping the shooter if only given a chance. God be with his wife, children, family and mourning police department.

Officer Cardinal
Fridley PD

November 30, 2012

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF COLD SPRING POLICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICER TOM DECKER.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family.
Though we may wear different uniforms and have different badges, shields or stars pinned upon our chest.
We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, county roads and state highways.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a law enforcement family, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice.
Daily our position is clear that we will SERVE and PROTECT our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of GOOD over EVIL facing the unknown with COURAGE keeping our trust and faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for law enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you love to do SERVING and POTECTING your community with HONOR and PRIDE making a better and safer place for us all.

FINAL CALL
OFFICER DECKER STATUS........OFFICER DECKER STATUS.......OFFICER DECKER STATUS........
ATTENTION ALL UNITS........COLD SPRING POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE OFFICER TOM DECKER HAVING SERVED THE CITIZENS OF COLD SPRING IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WITH HONOR, PRIDE AND DISTINCTION IS NOW 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen Brother, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN !!!

Master Senior Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police Dist. 01

November 30, 2012

Another "Hero" taken. May God grant you eternal peace. Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret)
Nassau County PD, Nassau NY

November 30, 2012

Rest with the Angels Officer Decker. Your dedication, devotion, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives.

Retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

November 30, 2012

Rest in Peace brother. Thoughts and prayers with your department and your family.

Anonymous
Fridley PD

November 30, 2012

Rest in peace young man, you're brothers and sisters in blue will never forget the sacrifice you made to keep the members of you're community safe. Please watch over all of us.

Technician David Cowden
Denver Police department

November 30, 2012

RIP Officer Decker...God Speed to you and your family.

Ofc. Peterson
Plymouth Police Department

November 30, 2012

Rest in peace Officer Decker. My sincerecondolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VETERAN AFFAIRS PD DETROIT, MICHIGAN

November 30, 2012

That's hitting pretty close to home. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you who lived and worked with Officer Decker. Our most sincere condolences to the entire Department and family.

Steve Crandall
Park Manager / Officer
Turtle River State Park
North Dakota Parks & Recreation Dept

November 30, 2012

R.I.P. BROTHER Decker!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

November 30, 2012

Rest in Peace Brother you have definitely earned it. You gave ALL

you will be missed by many

Inv. Robert Grappone
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Fl

November 30, 2012

A brave young officer tragically taken way too soon. Condolences to his loved ones, friends and colleagues.

A grateful citizen
Madison, WI

November 30, 2012

On behalf of the reseves in mn. rip my brother
&To his family god bless

reserve officer ron cuff
colerain police dept.

November 30, 2012