Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

March 11, 2015

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Sergeant E. Kemmer #142
Nevada Highway Patrol

March 11, 2015

My sincere heartfelt condolences to you, Officer Rhoads, for your dedicated police service to the community you served, and prayers for your wife, daughter and son's in this unexpected time of loss; I pray for their comfort and peace! Isaiah 40:31 now you shall raise up with the wings of an Eagle, renew your strength, run and not be weary, walk and not faint! To be absent from this earth is to be present with Jesus in heaven! Forever now you shall serve in Gods Sky Angel Police Force!

Sergeant Michael R. Powell
Arkansas State Police and Corrections

March 11, 2015

RIP

Corporal Jackie Robertson
Lewisburg Tennessee Police

March 11, 2015

Rest in peace brother! We have the watch from here. May God Bless your Family and Friends.

Officer A. OROZCO
ADOT/ECD

March 11, 2015

IN MEMORY OF POLICE OFFICER BURKE RHOADS

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Burke Rhoads:

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, two police officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Police Officer Burke Rhoads, of the Nicholasville, Kentucky, Police Department; who was killed in the line-of-duty on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in a cruiser accident at the intersection of U.S. Route 27 and Rogers Road in Garrard County, Kentucky, while in route to an on-duty training session.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Police Officer Burke Rhoads. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Police Officer Burke Rhoads 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 Nicholasville, Kentucky, 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 the Nicholasville, Kentucky, to remember to pay their police officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Nicholasville, Kentucky, 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 Burke Rhoads 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, Police Officer Burke Rhoads, 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

March 11, 2015

You lived the values, and instilled them in your thoughts and actions. You will be sorely missed. We will continue to be there for your family, no worries Brother. I will see you on the other side.

CPT Bradley Sumeracki, KYARNG
Nicholasville PD (RET)

March 11, 2015

Rest in eternal peace, Officer Rhoads, for we have the watch now. Your family and your brothers and sisters in uniform, our brothers and sisters, too, are in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort in remembrances of your dedication and service.

Deputy Warden Patricia Powers
Philadelphia Prison System

March 11, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy. Sadly, I am aware of how difficult this is and will be for Officer Rhoads' family, friends and brothers in blue. My sincerest condolences to all. I wish you the peace that I have not yet found nine years after the loss of my beloved son Matthew.

Jane Melchionda
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew J. Melchionda - Watchung, NJ

March 11, 2015

Rest in peace brother.

Officer Kyle Groose
Laramie Police Department, WY

March 11, 2015

Rest in peace, brother. Thank you for your service.

Detective Drew Young
.

March 11, 2015

R.I.P. Brother.

Inv. Bowman
Dare Co. Sheriff's Office, NC

March 11, 2015

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

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

March 11, 2015

Thank you for your service. RIP, my thoughts and prayers are with you ; your family & friends.

Retired Deputy Sheriff
Palm Beach County Florida

March 11, 2015

Rest in peace Officer Rhoads. Thank you for your dedication to serve and protect the community and country. I read that you also served your country as an Army MP in the 511th same as my son. My thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.

G. Birkholz
survivng mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, EOW 3/20/11 Wisconsin

March 11, 2015

Our brother precedes us along the Blue Highway. Peace, my brother. Rest well . . . .

SSgt. Joe Brown
MS ANG Security Forces, Gulfport, MS

March 11, 2015

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, co-workers and friends.

Assistant Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa
Nelson County Sheriff's Office

March 11, 2015

Rest in Peace Officer Rhoads. I ask our Heavenly Father to watch over and comfort your family friends and the Nicholasville Police Department during this difficult time. Thank you for your service and dedication to public safety.

Chief Jack Cavanaugh
Lee County Port Authority Police Dept.

March 11, 2015

I pray for your family brother, Rest in Peace, we will miss you.

Major Joe Whala (retired)
Idabel Police Department. (Okla)

March 11, 2015

I went to high school with Burke but I didn't know him very well. But from what I do remember and what I know of the life he led the world needs more men like Burke.

Sgt. Brad Kunkel
Johnson County Sheriff's Office (Iowa)

March 11, 2015

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

March 11, 2015

Rest in Peace Officer Rhoads. Thank you for your service to the people of Nicholasville, Kentucky. My condolences to your family, friends and fellow Officers with the Nicholasville Police Department.

Susan Ball
Judicial Process Server, Brevard County Sheriff's Office

March 11, 2015

Godspeed my friend.

Patrolman Jordan Holland
Claremore Police Department Oklahoma

March 11, 2015

Godspeed brother. Your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

Captain Chuck Johnson
Laurel County Sheriff's Department

March 11, 2015

Thank you Officer Rhoads for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Kentucky. 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

March 11, 2015