Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Brother Jeff, you are a true Hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham (retired)
Sand Springs PD OK

December 17, 2012

Rest in peace my blue brother.

Deputy T. Luttrell
WCSD-TN

December 17, 2012

Rest In Peace my brother, it is our watch now. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends, family, and coworkers of these brave men.

Officer B. Ruth
Baltimore County P.D.

December 17, 2012

RIP Brother

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

December 17, 2012

Thank you for your time of service. I salute you and you Family.

Randalyn Lynette Speer Benson
Survivor of Chief James Leonard Speer

December 17, 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

December 17, 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

December 17, 2012

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF TOPEKA POLICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICER JEFF ATHERLY.

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 loved to do........SERVING and PROTECTING your community with HONOR and PRIDE making a better and safer place for us all.

FINAL CALL
OFFICER ATHERLY STATUS........OFFICER ATHERLY STATUS........OFFICER ATHERLY STATUS........
ATTENTION ALL UNITS........TOPEKA POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER JEFF ATHERLY HAVING SERVED THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF TOPEKA IN THE STATE OF KANSAS 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 District 01, Region 01

December 17, 2012

RIP.

Deputy J. Strom
Onondaga County Sheriffs Office- Syracuse, NY

December 17, 2012

RIP Brother. My thoughts & prayers are with you, your family & friends and your Brothers & Sisters in blue. Thank you for what you have given for us all.

Lt. Robert M.Petty (Ret)
North Bergen N.J.P.D.

December 17, 2012

Thank you for your service. You, your family and your brothers will all be in our Prayers.

The family of Law Enforcement
Knows no distance here or there,
And we recall in comfort
You await us there.

Daughter & Wife
Daughter of Fallen Officer (EOW 041489)

December 17, 2012

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF CORPORAL JEFF ATHERLY, AND ALL THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF CORPORAL JEFF ATHERLY.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
HIS SERVICE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND HIS DEEDS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS

Ret PO David Herbert
Toronto Police Service Canada

December 17, 2012

There is never a good time to die brother, this close to Christmas is even worse. Your sacrifice is not in vain, your streets are safer, it is a better place all for you being here and protecting and serving. RIP

SPC Paul Jenkins
England,

December 17, 2012

Many prayers and kind thoughts to your family and coworkers from Alaska. Thank you for your service. RIP

Roxanne Van Gundy
Former Emporia Police, Currently Alaska State Troopers

December 17, 2012

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

December 17, 2012

There is never a good time to die brother, this close to Christmas is even worse. Your sacrifice is not in vain, your streets are safer, it is a better place all for you being her and protecting and serving. RIP

SPC Paul Jenkins
England,

December 17, 2012

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Jeff Atherly. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Topeka, Kansas will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir .

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

December 17, 2012

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell PD

December 17, 2012

Your work is done here on Earth - Heaven has called upon you today, leaving so many words left to say. But now it's too late, for your time has come, words unspoken; I am sure everybody has some. Regrets and wishes are probably there too, but lasting forever are memories of you.
There have been many times that we waved to each other, but we were there for each other in time of need. Now it's time for us to say Good-Bye, until we meet again in heaven to fly. Now go and Patrol the Heavens Above and Watch Below those you Love. Thank you for your service.

Retired TFC Divita Washington
Maryland State Police

December 17, 2012

I will pray for the families of these brave Officers during this horrific time in their lives. God Bless.

Sgt T Maxwell (retired)
Fairfax County Police

December 17, 2012

Your selfless commitment to your community keeping them safe will NEVER be forgotten. May the peace of Christ help your dear ones, the Department & your brothers & sisters in blue. You, sir, we're a hero of the highest caliber. Thank you.

Mother of a Sgt.
Colorado Springs Police Department

December 17, 2012

RIP - Thank You for your service.

Deputy Steighner
Pasco S.O.

December 17, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your fellow officers!

Bryce Stevenson
Son of Fallen Police Sergeant Howard Stevenson (EOW 010912)

December 17, 2012

Thank you for the untilmate gift to your city and state. God needed a pair of good, Kansas cops to patrol heaven. Peace be upon your family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Topeka.
Fear not when you stand before God, your duty is complete, your oath fulfilled, your courage defined.

MPO Brady Simmons #117
Haysville Kansas PD

December 17, 2012

R.I.P. Brothers Your families are in our prayers. May God Bless them.

Detective (Ret.) D.R.Peters GFFG
Wichita Police Department

December 17, 2012