Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you Sir for your service. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Correction officer J. Lamar
Limestone county sheriff office/ Athens, Al

January 22, 2015

For Director John Ballard Gorman:

Sadly, this category of incident is similar to that occurring within the Pennsylvania State Police not too long ago. It seems that no matter what is said or done, it is bound to occur again somewhere in law-enforcement at sometime in the future. But, it is preventable. It is embarrassing. It is totally beyond the realm of the safe-guards laid down involving basic firearms safety. It is stunningly tragic, it is incredible, but it is also very true.
We regret that such a horrific incident would needlessly again claim the life of one in law-enforcement.
We pray for John's family, friends, co-workers and all who care about him.
We are proud to render Director John Gorman, a soldier-of-the-law, a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

January 22, 2015

Thank you Director Gorman for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Mississippi. 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 22, 2015

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Director John Ballard Gorman. 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 Mississippi will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.


May the daughters of Director Gorman know that their Daddy is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us, Director Gorman 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

January 22, 2015

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

January 22, 2015

Very sorry to hear the news... Rest in peace. My thoughts are extended to family, friends and fellow officers.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

January 22, 2015

To the Gorman family and fellow co-workers of DIRECTOR Gorman. The brothers and sisters of RED ROSE LODGE,FRATRNAL ORDER OF POLICE, LODGE Pa. #16 ,sends its deepest sympathy.
GOD Bkess you all.

Chapalin T.L. Longacre
Fraternal Order of Police Pa.#16

January 22, 2015

Please accept my sincere condolence at the loss of this fine Law Enforcement officer. What a tragic accident. May he rest in peace.

Jack Mrozinski - Retired Deputy Sheriff
Portage Co. Sheriff's Department, Stevens Point, WI.

January 22, 2015

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. May you rest in peace.

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

January 22, 2015

Director of Investigations John Gorman rest in peace you are
now a member of an elite group The Thin Blue Line
of Heroes. There is no greater sacrifice that one can give
for his ellow man. To the Family I salute your lost loved one,
and pray for you during the days to come. John will be in
the company of heroes forevermore.

The Thin Blue Line of the Fallen are Standing at attention
in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass
They 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 hallowed place. As you march down the Thin Blue Line of the Fallen, all eyes are focused on you as if to say it will be ok you’re with your eternal partners. A salute follows and a tear can be seen on so many faces. Welcome, you served well. Now come join the ranks, another member of The Thin Blue Line has come home.



Your Brother in Law enforcement

Dr. stan phillips Usa Ret, Ms, Bs
Walnut Grove Ms Police, Lt. retired

Dr. stan phillips Usa Ret, Ms, Bs
Walnut Grove Ms Police, Lt. retired

January 22, 2015

RIP Brother

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

January 22, 2015

So sorry to hear this. Condolences to the family and friends of Officer John Ballard Gorman. So sad to lose a loved one in such an unfortunate way. May they all find peace and comfort in their hearts.

Clara E Minor
My son is an Agent

January 22, 2015

Rest in peace Brother.

Lt. A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania County Shriff's Office Va.

January 22, 2015

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the selfless service, commitment and dedication you had for your community, fellow officers and a grateful nation 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 - We'll take it from here.

Capt. James Moore, Retired
Gardner, KS Poilce Dept.

January 22, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with Director Gorman's family, friends and department. My prayers are also with the Officer who accidentally shot him. May God grant him peace. Thank you for your service, sir. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa B.
GEORGIA CIVILIAN LE SUPPORTER

January 22, 2015

Rest in Peace Director Gorman. I ask Our Heavenly Father to watch over your family, friends and the Mississippi Gaming Commission during this very difficult time. God bless.

Chief Jack Cavanaugh
Lee County Port Authority Police Dept.

January 22, 2015

Thank you for your service and dedication. Rest in peace.

Cpl. M. Davis #2614
Prince George's County Police

January 22, 2015

IN MEMORY OF DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS JOHN BALLARD GORMAN

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman:

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 two hundred and fifty-two Law Enforcement Officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of the State of Mississippi. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman, of the Mississippi Gaming Commission; who was accidentally shot and killed in the line-of-duty on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, while engaged in a training exercise at the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s Office in Robinsonville, Mississippi at about 0900 hours.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman 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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi to remember to pay their law enforcement officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of the State of Mississippi 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 Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman 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, Director of Investigations John Ballard Gorman, 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 (USA) Police Department
Police Chaplain of the Merrimack NH (USA) Police Department
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

Police Chaplain Steven R. Closs
Merrimack NH Police Department

January 22, 2015

RIP

Corporal Jackie Robertson
Lewisburg Tennessee Police

January 22, 2015

May the Almighty Chief of all LEOs hold this family, the surviving department firmly in His hands. A terrible tragedy in so many ways and know we stand next to all involved.

God bless and shine His healing light upon you all.

Daniel McGuire, President
CISM Perspectives, Inc.

January 22, 2015

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

January 22, 2015

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family, friends & coworkers...Thank You for your service...RIP Director Gorman

Val Naugle

January 22, 2015

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

Chaplain Douglas J. Maykowski
Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge #187 Mt. Clemens Michigan.

January 22, 2015

This officer lost his life training others that may one day live to see that he is and never will be forgotten.

Alice Bryner
Disabled Veteran

January 22, 2015

Rest in peace Brother John.

Ofc. Timothy M. Furlong
Nahant, MA PD

January 22, 2015