Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Prayers

Traffic Officer Kevin Garcia
Clute Police

December 19, 2013

Rest in Peace Sgt. Sowders. 10-42. God be with his family at this time of great loss.

Det. JP McGrath(retired)
Schenectady, NY

December 19, 2013

God bless.

Sgt Jim Russo

December 19, 2013

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD

December 19, 2013

Whatever our duty, or wherever we serve, we are all brothers and sisters in this most honorable calling. We have lost yet another brother who we must never forget.

My deepest sympathy to both his family and his law enforcement family. My thoughts and prayers are with them. May he rest in eternal peace.

Sgt. Tom Waller, Cincinnati P.D., Ret.
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

December 19, 2013

Rest in Peace Brother

Corporal B.P. SULLIVAN
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 19, 2013

GOOD BYE MY BROTHER IN BLUE. GOD'S SPEED.

OFFICER R. VILLARREAL
MCALLEN PD

December 19, 2013

Rest in Peace brother, you gave all. Prayers to the Family

SGT. E. Ray Domico (retired)
Maryland State Police

December 19, 2013

Rest In Peace Brother. Know the one who took your life is in custody and will not hurt anyone again. My condolences to your Family and the Burleson County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt Fred Nordt Jr.
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

December 19, 2013

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

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

December 19, 2013

Prayers being sent for your Department and the family of Sargent Investigator Sowders. May God wrap his loving arms around all of you and give you peace. Thank you for all you do and have done to keep your community safe.

citizen
Alvarado, TX

December 19, 2013

Rest in Peace Sgt. Sowders. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Patrol Officer
Page, Arizona Police Department

December 19, 2013

May you rest in peace Sgt. Sowders. The boys and girls in blue have lost another good officer attempting to rid the streets of scum bags.

Det. Lt. Steve Seifried
Pompton Lakes, N.J. Police Dept.

December 19, 2013

May the good lord welcome you with open arms, for you have done your job well.

Douglas J. Maykowski Reserve Deputy
Macomb County Sheriff Mt. Clemens Michigan

December 19, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
GReater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

December 19, 2013

Thoughts and Prayers are with your family and Department. Rest in Peace Brother.

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

December 19, 2013

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF SERGEANT SOWDERS, AND ALL THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF SERGEANT SOWDERS .
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, Ontario Canada

December 19, 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, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge

can't always be a Saint."

I've had to work most Sundays

and at times my talk is 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 to 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 a 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 you burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.

You've done your time in Hell"

Major Doug Stocks
Greene County Sheriffs Office, North Carolina

December 19, 2013

RIP Brother, your watch is over here on Earth.

Major Dave Smith (Retired)
Orange County SO

December 19, 2013

IN THE LINE OF DUTY
by Marilyn Moller
DPS Victim Services

Each morning when we go to our jobs, we don’t expect to be killed in the performance of our duties. We can pretty much expect that we will return home to our families at the end of the day. Imagine then, having a job where just the opposite is true. You’re at work, talking with co-workers, then in a split-second you must make a life and death decision that could affect not only your life, but the life of others as well. A whole career will be critiqued on that one decision. A job you once loved may never be the same again.

Police officers must enforce the laws that our government makes. The problem is that “we the people” have a double set of standards, enforce the laws for others, but don’t pick on me.

Police officers are criticized by our society for “excessive use of force” yet at times it becomes necessary – not only to protect themselves, but also protect the lives of that same society that criticizes them.

Police officers see the worst of our society while responding to calls of domestic violence, homicide, assaults, stabbings, suicides, and child abuse. They deal with drunks, murderers, rapists, and drug dealers. Imagine taking that type of baggage home with you. A police officer must mask his emotions. After all, he can’t have people thinking he is “soft” or “weak” and unable to perform his job, so he hides the pain.

Working in all types of weather, a police officer must sometimes work seven days a week, pulling 10 to 12 hour shifts at a time. When they do have time off, it isn’t always theirs to enjoy. There are court appearances, training classes to attend, special duty assignments, and the off-duty jobs some officers must work just to get by. The job of a police officer is not just to “serve and protect.” They must be educators, referees, and sometimes social workers. They give directions, change tires, cradle children, administer first aid, and comfort the elderly. Police officers are spit on, cursed at, assaulted, and often killed while trying to make our cities and streets a safer place.

All of this – In The Line of Duty!


“Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for another”

To Honor Sergeant Investigator Adam Sowders and the men and women of the Burleson County Sheriff's Office.

Marilyn Moller - Victim Services
TX Department of Public Safety - Capitol

December 19, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Sgt Sowders' family and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Rest in peace.

Deputy Johanna Polo
Monroe County Sheriffs Dept Rochester NY

December 19, 2013

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver Retired
Jerome County, Idaho Sheriff's Office

December 19, 2013

Rest in peace, my fellow brother in blue. May God be with your family

jeff merritt, Sgt
vicksburg, ms Police Dept

December 19, 2013

Rest In Peace, Brother.

P.O. Randy Evans
Kansas City Missouri Police Department
Son of Patrolman Robert Wayne Evans
E.O.W 10/14/1971
HEROES LIVE FOREVER

December 19, 2013

Many don't realize the danger our officers of the Law walk into each time they respond to an incident or act to carry out their duty. Respect for law officers and those in authority has deteriorated to a new low and I am afraid it is only going to get worse.
My heart goes out to the family of Sergeant Investigator Adam Sowers. I pray you will find peace and healing in the busom of Christ our Savior.

Mitchel Gainey
South Carolina

citizen

December 19, 2013