Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Be at peace Officer Smith and know that the rest of us have you family surrounded in our prayers, sympathy and in thanks for your years of selfless service to the community.

Daniel McGuire, President
CISM Perspectives

March 31, 2014

Tragic. Rest in Peace Brother

Corporal B.P. SULLIVAN
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

March 31, 2014

St. Michael be with you now, with your family and friends, and with the Johnson City Police.

We are so very, very sorry.

Ptl. M.A. Ryan
New York State University Police Brockport (ret.)

March 31, 2014

My St. Michael guide you my friend, even though we never met you are a brother to me. You shall be missed, hooah Officer Smith.

PFC Jopson, Rodney
US Army Veteran

March 31, 2014

Thank You for giving your life to help others. Rest in Peace.

Citizen

March 31, 2014

Rest easy brother, we'll take it from here. My family and I will pray for your family and your brothers and sisters with the Johnson City Police Department. Thank you for your 18 1/2 years of selfless service.

SSA Justin Fleck
FBI HQ

March 31, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friend's and fellow officers. We all hurt when one of our brothers is taken from us.

Deputy David S
Madison County Sheriff's, NY

March 31, 2014

Very sad to see this, Bradford County lost two officers 10 years ago on this same day. It's a terrible loss all around.

Civilian supporter

March 31, 2014

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of Officer Smith. My thoughts and prayers are with you at the most difficult time.
Rest easy brother.

P.O. (Ret) Donald Current
NYPD $2461

March 31, 2014

God Bless you BROTHER and you FAMILY

Chief of Police
Greensboro Police Dept.

March 31, 2014

Your family doesn't grieve alone. A grateful nation mourns with them. Thank you for your service and the ultimate sacrifice.

Donna M. Gray
Civilian who supports all first-responders

March 31, 2014

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Dake, Lt./IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

March 31, 2014

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

March 31, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Surviving wife of SA E.M. Heggen, USACIDC

March 31, 2014

"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, WY

March 31, 2014

Rest in peace Officer Smith, my sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH(RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT, MICHIGAN

March 31, 2014

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

March 31, 2014

Thank you for your sacrifice Officer Smith.
Rest In Peace with your fellow brothers.

Civilian supporter and future LEO
Lorain, Ohio

March 31, 2014

Rest with God Officer Smith. Your devotion, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Pray your child knows that you died a hero. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives. Prayers for your department family as well.

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

March 31, 2014

RIP my brother. Take your place of honor...

Sgt
Phoenix Police Dept

March 31, 2014

I'm stunned my toughts are with the family.

sevillian Jeff van de Pol
none related

March 31, 2014

My prayers are with your family and fellow officers. Thank you for your service. There are those people who truly appreciate it. Your are a true hero. May your family find peace in knowing you are with the Lord.

Deborah Sahli
Private Citizen

March 31, 2014

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

Randalyn Benson
Survivor Daughter of Chief James Leonard Speer

March 31, 2014

RIP Officer Smith, thank you for your service, brother.

Sandra and Paul McKinney
Mohawk PD, NY

March 31, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are a Hero Officer Smith. Thank you for doing your job. Rest in peace Dear Brother. God bless. "HEROES LIVE FOREVER"

CATHERINE A. GARIBAY SANCHEZ
SURVIVING SISTER of DEPUTY SHERIFF
STEVEN GARIBAY EOW 2/10/1987

March 31, 2014