Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace my brave brother.

Lt. Ohio Sheriff's Office

November 18, 2014

Police Officer Justin Winebrenner, during your tour of duty you served your city and it's citizens with dignity and honor, it is now your time to rest with all of the other heroes that have gone before you. We will carry on from here. To the family of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner you all are in our thoughts and prayers. The Law Enforcement family will stand beside you. To the men and women of the Akron Police Department hold your heads high as you all carry on during these difficult times. Justin even off duty you faced down evil Bravo Zulu. Fair Winds and Following Seas WARRIOR.

Detective Grade One Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Branch

November 18, 2014

The true measure of a hero is when an Officer lays down their life with the knowledge that those they save... will never know

SMSgt (USAF-Retired) Ed Keeney
USAF Security Police

November 18, 2014

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD-108pct

November 18, 2014

Eternal Rest

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

November 17, 2014

Rest in Peace Brother!!

Deputy Howard 9841
Wheeler County Sheriffs Office

November 17, 2014

The 36th Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy sends our deepest and most he artful condolences to the Family, Friends, and Co-workers of Fellow Officers. During this time we hold close to memories and good times shared as a source of comfort. Being ever mindful of the pride they embraced when wearing their uniform.

Sgt. Eric Carpenter
Durham County Sheriff BLET 36

November 17, 2014

You're a real hero my friend. You will be truly missed. Prayers to your little girl and fiancé.

Citizen - Ryan Painting
College friend

November 17, 2014

Thoughts and prayers are with your family. There are no words to express my gratitude for your service. May you rest in peace.

Lt. Justin Kirkland
Tattnall County S.O.

November 17, 2014

IN MEMORY OF POLICE OFFICER JUSTIN WINEBRENNER

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner:

From the beginning of time after Cain killed his brother, Abel, there has been a need for law enforcement officers to protect the weak and to bring evildoers to justice. This work is necessary in a sinful world and is dangerous. In modern times, some twenty-six police officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of Akron, Ohio. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner, of the Akron, Ohio, Police Department; who was shot and killed in the line-of-duty on Sunday, November 16, 2014, while off duty at a pub in the 1800 block of East Market Street in Akron, Ohio, while confronting an armed subject at about 0200 hours, who was disorderly and ejected from the business earlier and returned a short time later brandishing a handgun at the staff and other patrons.

“Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner and honor his sacrifice. Be with the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero. Comfort them and give them your strength. Guide those who seek to take care of the family of this hero. May those empowered to do so, care for them with integrity. In commemorating the death of this hero, help those who mourn to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition to the glorious life to come. They should look forward to that life to come with joy and thanksgiving.

As for the citizens of Akron, Ohio, help them to faithfully equip their law enforcement officers with the best tools to protect their community. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Akron, Ohio, to remember to pay their law enforcement officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Akron, Ohio, to obey the law and treat each other with dignity so as not to add to the burden of crime and pain to their community.

The time for mourning will soon pass. We have now remembered and celebrated the life lost in this great tragedy. As the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner go forward, they must celebrate the good things in their lives; and to celebrate life itself!

Finally, Lord God, we pray for the families, friends, and colleagues of all the law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line-of-duty and we thank you for their sacrifices. Bless the lives of their families, friends, and colleagues so they might find healing. Help their law enforcement organizations support the families of these fallen heroes. Even though their deaths might have been senseless, make something good come out of these situations so that their law enforcement organizations and the communities in which they lived and served might be stronger because of their lives and their deaths. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Now, Police Officer Justin Winebrenner, may the Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In His Service,

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department
The Prayer Ministry of the Cross

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department

November 17, 2014

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Justin Winebrenner. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Akron, Ohio will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.

May the daughter of Officer Winebrenner know that her Daddy is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us, Officer Winerbrenner, Thank You for your service and protection to us all, may you rest in peace God bless you and your family.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

November 17, 2014

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J. Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

November 17, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Supervisory FAM, Thomas Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 17, 2014

Thoughts and prayers to your family especially your small daughter and future wife, May they always remember you died protecting others and are truly a hero Rest in peace and thank you and all the others who protect us daily.

Laura L Zak, sister and Aunt to Akron officers McCain & Forsch

November 17, 2014

Philadelphia P D feels your pain. RIP brother.

Police officer Roy Lopez (ret.)
Philadelphia PD

November 17, 2014

The job never ends. Even when off duty your still on duty. Even now he's on duty guarding from above. RIP brother.

Firefighter/Police officer 1986-2005 Chi
Ridgefield police department retired

November 17, 2014

The law enforcement community is truly sadden by the untimely passing of Police Officer Justin Winebrenner. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go to the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Winebrenner. We would also like to thank him for his service. May his soul rest in peace.

Zone Five Academy Session 57
New York State Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

November 17, 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 BMI © 1993 - All Rights Reserved

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

November 17, 2014

My condolences to Officer Winebrenner and his family. My heart aches from this story. Rest in peace brother.

Shelby Lynn Meza Mounted Patrol Officer
Fort Worth Police Department

November 17, 2014

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Akron Police Department. May you rest in peace.

Ptlm. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

November 17, 2014

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

November 17, 2014

Justin always had a smile on his face as he walked through the doors at the YMCA. In the 3 years that I worked at the front desk I cannot remember a time where he did not say hello to myself and other YMCA staff.

Brianne Colando
Previous YMCA Front Desk Staff Member

November 17, 2014

Please accept my sincere condolences for the tragic loss of Officer Winebrenner. My thoughts and prayers are with all concerned especially the family.

Rest easy brother.

P.O. (Ret) Donald Current
New York City PD/fmr Transit PD

November 17, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Akron P.D. during this terrible tragedy. We understand your loss, as my husband's dept. recently lost an officer too. R.I.P. Officer Winbrenner

Jan Dwerlkotte
wife of Cedar Co. MO Sheriff Leon Dwerlkotte

November 17, 2014

May the family's fond memories help them through this difficult time.

Terry L. Vice
Patrol Officer (1979-1984)
Greeley PD
Colorado

November 17, 2014