Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Condolences from the Fort Worth Police Department. I am assigned to Gang Intelligence at FWPD, but have family and land in Whitesboro. I will keep Chief Feleming's wife and daughter, as well as your police family in my prayers.

Phil. 4:23

Sergeant Richard M. Morris
Fort Worth Police Department

November 4, 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.

November 4, 2013

Hoping for peace and comfort in these difficult days. With deepest sympathy,

Rita Rocker, Director
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

November 4, 2013

R.I.P. Chief... My GOD BLESS your family and agency through this tragic time..

Deputy Robby McCannon
Greene County SO

November 4, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Chief Fleming's family and everyone at the Gainesville Police Department. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer Joe Hoyer
Green Bay Police Department

November 4, 2013

Rest In Peace Chief Fleming. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Gainesville Police Department.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

November 4, 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

November 4, 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

November 4, 2013

Chief Fleming,
You were more than my Chief, you were truly a great friend. You were always there for me and supported me through the years. I am very grateful that I had the chance to sit and talk about life outside of work just days before your accident. You tought me so much, both in my career and in life and I will never forget that. RIP knowing your PD family will always look after the ones you left behind.

Your friend,
Galvan

Officer J. Galvan #331
Gainesville PD

November 3, 2013

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's office

November 3, 2013

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD

November 3, 2013

Your wife and daughter are in my prayers. A tragic loss.

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

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

November 3, 2013

Thank you for your service your for Chief Fleming. Although I never met you I have a great pride in men that served their country. I want to become a law enforcement officer when I turn of age and it is sad to learn of officers that have put down there lives. But thanks to ODMP we can honor your death.
Sincerely,

Civilian Hristiyan Murphy
Future Police Officer

November 3, 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

November 3, 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

November 3, 2013

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

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

November 3, 2013

The 52nd Basic Detention Officer Training Academy sends our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Family, Friends, and Co-workers of Chief Steven Fleming.
During this time hold close to the memories and good times shared as a source of comfort.
Being ever mindful of the pride he embraced when wearing his uniform.
RIP, Chief Fleming
Respectfully Submitted, Lt. Alicia S. McKinney & the Cadets of Basic Detention Officer Training Academy 52. Durham County Sheriff's Office Durham, NC

Lieutenant Alicia S. McKinney
Durham County Sheriff's Office

November 3, 2013

God's peace and speed Chief Fleming. Thank you for your many years of brave, dedicated service. RIP brother.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago P.D.

November 3, 2013

Rest in Peace and may your life's work be remembered for your lifes work may pass on to those you have taught and have made others to learn , A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived.May you rest in peace,God bless you and your family and all whom served with you.

John A Demers FNDC
US Coast Guard Veteran
Served 1979 -1982
Leominster,MA 01453

November 3, 2013

Rest in Peace Chief Fleming. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Gainesville Police Dept. Condolences to the family and friends of this honorable officer. Prayers for all at this time. amen.

Margaret Hood (ret'd)
Citizen Watch

November 3, 2013

RIP Chief Fleming.

Stephen Bruet, PPO II
North Carolina Deparment of Public Safety

November 3, 2013

Texas lost a great warrior with Chief Fleming. I had a chance to speak with him on a few occasions and can say that you could not have met a nicer person. I appreciate your courtesy Chief and will miss speaking with you at the annual MOH Parade. Thank you for allowing our Honor Guard to lead the parade this year. RIP Brother.

Detective Marc Sweeney
Denton Texas Police Department

November 3, 2013

Prayers of comfort for Chief Fleming's family and employees of the Gainesville PD.

Cpl. Craig Driskell
Dalworthington Gardens DPS, Texas

November 2, 2013

Heartbreaking! The Law Enforcement Family lost one of our best. My condolences to his family and department.

Retired POII Debbie Ann Bonillas
Los Angeles Police Department

November 2, 2013

Chief Steven Fleming, R.I.P. and prayers for you family and the Gainesville Police Department.

Deputy Curt J. Smith
Chouteau County Sheriff's Office

November 2, 2013