Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May the eave of Chris enfold the family, community & the department in the senseless death of Deputy Key. His sacrifice will never be forgotten & the quest to put these senseless deaths to and end, will be diligently persued. God bless.

Mother of a Sgt
Colorado Springs PD

May 17, 2013

Deputy Sheriff Key,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Grayson County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 15, 2013

My heart goes out to the family of Deputy Chad Key, such a great loss. As a peace officer, we are like a family, and it brings sadness to my heart. May God bless Chad, his family, and all his friends.

Constable Pct. 5 Jimmy Skinner
Constable

May 14, 2013

CHAD, I'M THANKFUL THAT I WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO CALL YOU FRIEND AND A BROTHER IN OUR FAMILY OF BLUE. I HATE THAT YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US SO SOON INTO YOUR CAREER ON THE STREETS BUT I KNOW THAT IT WAS GOD'S PLAN. THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT I CAN THINK OF TO EXPLAIN THE SENSE OF PAIN THAT I FELT WHEN I HEARD IT WAS YOU. YOU WERE A GREAT MAN AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER US FROM HEAVEN, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SEEING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS RIGHT NOW! THANK YOU FOR THE FRIENDSHIP. "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD." MATTHEW 5:9

DEPUTY
FRIEND

May 14, 2013

Thank you for your service! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with your family.

Zoe Esparza Stahl
LEO wife and sister of Officer Andrew Esparza EOW 4/13/07

May 9, 2013

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

May 5, 2013

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

May 5, 2013

"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 Police Department (WY)

May 5, 2013

Rest in Peace

1st Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police, Maryland

May 3, 2013

My condolences to the family and the Grayson County Sheriff's Office. May he rest in peace.

Sal S. Retired
El Paso PD

May 3, 2013

Rest in Peace Sir..............................

Offc. Thomas Wiederhold Ret.
Fort Worth PD, Texas

May 1, 2013

RIP Brother. We will see you again soon. God bless you for your service and ultimate sacrifice.

PO E.A.D.
RCSO

April 30, 2013

Another "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Billy Russo (Det. Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept. NY

April 30, 2013

Be at peace My Brother; your tour is over, we'll take it from here.

Officer J. Craven
Silver Spring Township (PA) Police Dept.

April 30, 2013

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the service and dedication you had for your department, its fellow officers and the citizens of your community will never be forgotten. May God comfort in this time of sorrow your family, your fellow officers and all those whose lives you have touched. You have served your time in hell, now rest comfortably in the arms of God. RIP, we’ll take it from here.

James W. Moore, Interim Chief of Police
Gardner, KS Police Department

April 29, 2013

Rest in Peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

Sgt. Kevin Kratz
Buena Vista Twp Police Dept (Michigan)

April 28, 2013

Deepest sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Key. RIP Brother.

Sgt J Walter
Richmond PD Virginia

April 28, 2013

Godspeed Brother...You died fighting the good fight and for that we are eternally grateful...

Godspeed...

POI K. Jarrell
HPPD

April 27, 2013

I have laid down my life in service to all of you.
I have been a part of the fabric that has held the line between your safety and your victimization. I have given my life so that others may live in peace. I have lived my life as a dedicated member of the greatest profession. There is no greater honor.

As I now become a part of the rich history of law enforcement, please remember me always for I have left behind those who loved and depended upon me.
My partners and my agency, please remember my family, their loss, and don’t let time soften your compassion for them.

You guard the gate now and I will continue my watch from above.

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND MAY YOUR FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE HERE ON EARTH.

Doug Gist, Captain (ret) Washoe SO
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum

April 27, 2013

Our deepest sympathy to the dear family and friends of Deputy Key. God Bless him for his service and the sacrifice he made to keep others safe. Rest in Peace sir, you will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, NC

April 26, 2013

Rest in peace blue brother.

Deputy T. Luttrell
WCSD-TN

April 26, 2013

To the family and friends of Deputy Chad Key and his fellow deputiess:

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Chad died.

To Chad's family, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Deputy Key gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 20, 2013.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 26, 2013

You Will be missed.

Capt.
Grayson County Sheriff's Office

April 26, 2013

My prayers and thoughts are with the Key family.

Corrections officer
Allegheny County Bureau Of Corrections

April 25, 2013

NEVER FORGOTTEN!

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

God bless you and your family Deputy Sheriff Chad Christian Key. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Chief Paul Philipps
Parsippany Police Parsippany NJ

April 25, 2013