Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you Patrolman O'Dell for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Alabama. 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...

PAROLE LETTERS

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

January 29, 2015

Thank you for your service Patrolman O'Dell. May you rest in peace and may the God bless you and your family.

Detective Patrick Langley
Hot Springs Police Dept. (AR) - native of Tuscumbia, AL

January 29, 2015

IN MEMORY OF PATROLMAN ROGER O’DELL

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Patrolman Roger O’Dell:

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 five hundred and twenty-seven Law Enforcement Officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of the State of Alabama. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Patrolman Roger O’Dell, of the Town Creek, Alabama, Police Department; who suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after apprehending two juvenile escapees from a Juvenile Detention Facility in a neighboring county on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at about 0400 hours.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Patrolman Roger O’Dell. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Patrolman Roger O’Dell 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 Town Creek, Alabama, help them to faithfully equip their police officers with the best tools to protect their community. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Town Creek, Alabama, to remember to pay their police officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Town Creek, Alabama, 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 Patrolman Roger O’Dell 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, Patrolman Roger O’Dell, 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 29, 2015

RIP Brother. Thank you & God Bless.

Lt.Robert M.Petty (retired)
No.Bergen, N.J. P.D.

January 29, 2015

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Roger O’Dell. 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 Town Creek, Alabama will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.


May the children of Officer O’Dell know that their Dad is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us, Officer O’Dell 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 29, 2015

I had not known Roger long. Never had a drink with him, or barbequed at his house. But I knew him as an honest man. One that did not hesitate to come running when back up was needed, or hesitate to share information whenever available. I had not known him long, and I did not know him well; but I recognized him as a brother officer, and a good and honest man. I trusted him, and I miss him now. Be at peace, brother.

Officer Mitchell Breland
North Courtland Police Department

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace brother. Thoughts are with your family both blue and blood during this difficult time. Thank you Patrolman O'dell for your service and dedication to your community. Rest easy, we'll take the watch from here.

Sgt David Post
Reno County Sheriff's Office Hutchinson, KS

January 29, 2015

RIP Brother

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

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace officer O'Dell my sincere condolences to your family and to your department Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

Ofc. Terry Zech
Veterans affairs police department Detroit Michigan

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace Patrolman O'Dell!
You will not be forgotten!

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

January 29, 2015

Please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of this fine officer. May he rest in peace...

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

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer O'Dell during this time of tragic and sudden loss.

Although the juvenile(s) had a part in this, at least one of them had the courage to try to help him.

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

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace brother. We'll take it from here.

Special Agent Mike Tamez
Kingsville Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force

January 29, 2015

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family, friends & coworkers...Thank You for your service...RIP Patrolman Roger O'Dell

Val Naugle

January 29, 2015

Our prayers to Officer O'Dell's family at his sudden loss. We are praying for GOD to comfort them through this terrible time and to know they will someday be reunited in Heaven.

We are sure that Officer O'Dell's service was appreciated by his community

Retired Sgt. Charles Carty
Benton AR Police Department

January 29, 2015

My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. RIP and thank you.

private citizen

January 29, 2015

RIP friend

Stephen Bruet, PPO II
NC Department of Public Safety

January 29, 2015

Rest in Peace O'Dell. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the O'Dell Family and the Town Creek Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office Wayne, NJ

January 29, 2015

Rest in peace brother.

Lt. A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.

January 29, 2015

We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden loss of this wonderful man. Although it has been several years since we have seen Roger, he became part of our family starting with his partnership with fellow officer Tom Cross (my husband's brother). We have so many fond memories of Roger, particularly the North vs South paintball games which created road trips to Alabama with our paintball team as well as hosting the "Bama Ball Busters" paintball team on their trips to Michigan. Roger was always a true Southern gentleman with a heart of gold. He and his family attended our daughter's wedding back in 2001...we loved him like a brother. We all eventually outgrew the game of paintball...and then time and distance and hectic lives sent us all on our different paths. We will never forget Roger. Rest in Peace, Patrolman O'Dell....you have friends all around this great country who are missing you tonight.

All your friends and extended family at Splatmandu
Three Rivers, Michigan

Ted and Kathy Cross
Friends in Michigan

January 29, 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 29, 2015

R.I.P. Brother

Inv. George H. Bowman, Sr. (Ret.)
Dare County Sheriff's Office, NC

January 29, 2015

Rest with God officer O'Dell. Your service and dedication will never be forgotten. Thanks for your devotion. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives.

Retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

January 29, 2015

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Patrolman O'Dell and the Town Creek Police Department during this time. Thank you, Patrolman O'Dell, for your service.

Admin
National Police Wives Association

January 29, 2015

We are so sorry for the loss of Officer Dell and will be praying for you all.

Darlene Newton
friend of Story County Sheriff's Office

January 29, 2015