Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two fallen officers. Rest in peace.

Senior Deputy C. Salas
Ventura County Sheriff's Office

January 15, 2015

Both officers are truly American heros. May the Lord comfort both families and know that their LE family will forever miss them.

Lt. Jeffery Myers
Russellville Police Dept

January 15, 2015

Officer Garcia was a great person and father who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving the State of Texas. He will be missed greatly by his many friends and family members. Thank you for your service Jr.

Police Officer Chad Walsworth
Grand Prairie Police Department

January 15, 2015

Rest in peace my brother. We have the watch from here.

Meeting Thy God
The Corrections Officer 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, Corrections Officer. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other check? To my church have you been true?"The Corrections Officer 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 work was rough, and sometimes I've been violent. Because inside the walls are awful tough.But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep, I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills just got too steep.And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, and sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fears.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 will understand."There was silence all around the Throne, where the Saints often trod. As the Corrections Officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God."Step forward now, Corrections Officer, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."Unknown Author

Lieutenant Kelly Darst
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Choice Moore Unit

January 15, 2015

Rest in peace Brother Eligio.

Ofc. Timothy M. Furlong
Nahant, MA PD

January 15, 2015

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

January 15, 2015

Rest in peace Officer Garcia!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

January 15, 2015

RIP Officer Garcia. Prayers for your family and fellow officers.

Mother of a Texas Corrections Officer.

January 15, 2015

Your corrections officer brothers and sisters all over America will long remember and never forget your sacrifice. We got the watch from here. God bless you, your family, and all of our brothers and sisters in the TDCJ.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno- Honor Guard Member
State of MN Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

January 15, 2015

May God be with your family, friends and co-workers. Rest in peace!!!

CO Vicki Carmona
Georgia State Prison Reidsville, Georgia

January 15, 2015

We are all family in times like these. As such we grieve together.

Captain Mike McAllister
LCFD 16

January 15, 2015

Our Prayers to Officer Garcia's family at his loss, May GOD be with them and comfort them. Always remember the good times shared by the family. GOD Bless You All.

Retired Sgt. Charles Carty
Benton AR Police Department

January 15, 2015

May you rest in peace, Officer Davis. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to protect the public. I'm so sad for your loss and the loss that is still felt by your family, friends, and fellow officers.

Civilian/Bette Parkin
Respectful Member of the Public

January 15, 2015

May you rest in peace, Officer Garcia. Thank you for your 23 years of dedicated service to protect the public. I'm so sad for your loss and the loss that is still felt by your family, friends, and fellow officers.

Civilian/Bette Parkin
Respectful Member of the Public

January 15, 2015

Rip!! Thanks for many years of service, your watch is over. You can now rest. Praying for your family. Friends and co-workers.

Correctional officer Co3 Courtney Lozano
Michael

January 15, 2015

Rest in peace my brother

CO V L.Goswick
TDCJ ID Robertson Unit

January 15, 2015

Thank you for your service officer Garcia, job well done!!! So sorry for the loss your family and friends have to endure because you are now gone. May the good Lord Jesus Christ embrace your girls and guide them through this trial. Your family members suffer such a deep grief and may they find comfort in each other and God. Rest in peace!!!!

Louisa Vaca
Friend of Anna Schuster

January 15, 2015

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

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

January 15, 2015

"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 Police Department

January 15, 2015

Thank you CO Garcia for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Texas. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES LIVE FOREVER...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

January 14, 2015

C.O. Garcia,
May you rest in Heavenly Peace. May your family be forever watched over and blessed. May your friends and colleagues find comfort. Please watch over us from on high.
We will see you again dear Sir.
Thank you for your service. I will never forget your sacrifice or the sacrifice of your family.
Greater Love Hath No Man....
Prayers for all involved.

Kristi
Surviving Daughter of Special Agent J. Robert Porter
Federal Bureau of Investigation
E.O.W. 8/9/79

January 14, 2015

R.I.P. friend. You'll never be alone for all eternity.

Ret. Ofc Cooper
Indianapolis Metro PD

January 14, 2015

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your many years of service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Garcia during this time of tragic and sudden loss.

Prayers for the injured officer for a full recovery as well as for the inmates who were injured or killed.

Sr. Ptlmn/K-9 Hndlr Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

January 14, 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 14, 2015

IN MEMORY OF CORRECTIONS OFFICER V ELIGIO GARCIA

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Corrections Officer V Eligio Garcia:

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 sixty-one correctional officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of the State of Texas. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Correctional Officer V Eligio Garcia, of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division; who was killed in-the-line of duty, along with Correctional Officer V Christopher Davis, when they lost control of their prison bus and collided with a train on I-20 near Penwell, Texas on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at about 0700 hours. Some eight inmates were also killed in the collision.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Correctional Officer V Eligio Garcia. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Correctional Officer V Eligio Garcia 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 the State of Texas help them to faithfully equip their law enforcement officers with the best tools to protect their state. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of the State of Texas to remember to pay their law enforcement officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of the State of Texas to obey the law and treat each other with dignity so as not to add to the burden of crime and pain to their state.

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 Correctional Officer V Eligio Garcia 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.

Now, Correctional Officer V Eligio Garcia, 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. Amen.

In His Service,

Police Chaplain Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police of the Nashua NH Police Department
Police Chaplain of the Merrimack NH Police Department
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

Police Chaplain Steven R. Closs
Merrimack NH Police Department

January 14, 2015