Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.


Rest in peace.

Michelle, wife of US Marshal

September 30, 2013

Your service, the time you gave to protecting others is outstanding and inspiring. Such a tragic way to go and heart breaking. My prayers are with your family and all at the NSN Police Department as well at in Middletown.

God Bless and may you forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 30, 2013

My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Lema. I am so very sorry for your loss.
God Bless you all...

Gina M. Miller, surviving Fiance
Washington State Trooper Tony V. Radulescu `

September 30, 2013

God bless, Rest in Peace Sir.

Deputy Albert Martinez III #2755
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
San Antonio, Texas
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit

September 30, 2013

Your spirit has been released to the Divine Creator of this universe and as I pray for you and your family, I contemplate on the comfort your kind and gentle presence brought into the lives of everyone who knew you. I pray for your eternal peace and am greatful for having known you.

MS. ELEONORA A. AYVASIAN
CO- WORKER

September 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.

Capt. James Moore
Gardner, KS Police Dept.

September 30, 2013

Deepest condolences to the family and co-workers of Detective Frank Lema. Profound appreciation for his many years of dedicated law enforcement service. Thoughts and prayers.

Chaplain Sam Faraone
El Paso TX Police Department

September 30, 2013

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Naval Station Newport Police Department. New England is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother.

Anonymous

September 30, 2013

Rest in Peace Brother.

Lt. A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.

September 30, 2013

We thank you for your service. Our condolences to Officer Lema's friends, family and department. He will be missed.

Ofc. Michael J. Martuscello Jr.
Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

September 30, 2013

R.I.P. BROTHER Lema!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

September 30, 2013

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. As you join our brothers and sisters in the hall of heroes, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Vires et Honorem

Ptlm F J Kapusta
Mohawk Police Department

September 30, 2013

Frank,

You are my friend, mentor and partner. I know you are now at peace with Jan. I enjoyed every minute you spent emparting your experiences; teaching to be a better detective. It seemed at times we spent more time laughing than working. Your friendship will be deeply missed. I have the watch Shipmate. Fair winds and following seas.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Tim Barreras
Naval Station Newport Polce Department

September 30, 2013

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

Randalyn Benson
Survivor of Chief James Leonard Speer

September 29, 2013

On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Detective Frank Lema Sr. and the extended law enforcement family of the Naval Station Newport Police Department. Rest in Peace brother and watch over us.
I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper


"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Chief Joseph Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

September 29, 2013

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

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

September 29, 2013

Rest in Peace sir. Thank you for your lengthy service. Our thoughts and prayers are with your dear family. You will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, NC

September 29, 2013

Rest In Peace Frank, you will be missed.

Patrolman Brian Reed
Ipswich, MA PD (NSNPD 2002-2004)

September 29, 2013

Rest in peace Detective Lema. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

TERRY F. ZECH (VAPD) RET
VAPD DETROIT MICHIGAN

September 29, 2013

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

Officer Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worth PD, Texas

September 29, 2013

RIP Brother, Thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Sgt. Chris L. Corteville (Ret)
Berrien County Sheriff, St Joseph, Michigan

September 29, 2013

Service by a Police Officer knows no bounds. Detective Frank Lema had already honorably served and retired. In further service he chose to assist a department that could benefit from his years of experience. My condolences to your family, friends, and coworkers. Your service is appreciated.

Ex-Chief John R. Graham

September 29, 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

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

September 29, 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!

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

September 29, 2013

Rest In Peace Brother.

Communications Officer B. Jackson
Garza County Sheriff's Office, TX

September 29, 2013