Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in the peaceful arms of your faith and beliefs.

Teresa D. Enriquez
NM Corrections Deparment
Security Threat Intelligence Unit (STIU)
Executive Assistant

May 28, 2015

Rest in peace my brother of blue.

Officer J. Rhodes
Maize Police Department, Kansas

May 28, 2015

My prayers and thoughts go out to the Benner family and I salute Officer Benner Godspeed my brother and see you in our final day in Heaven with God and Sir Robert Peel.

Patrolman Landell T. Williams
Veterans Affairs Police Department

May 28, 2015

During the early morning hours of Tuesday May 26th, I received a phone call from my son, a Rio Rancho Police Officer. Fighting back tears, he shared the tragic news that Officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner had been shot and killed during a traffic stop. My heart sank knowing the grief that not only Gregg's family and friends were experiencing but also members the Rio Rancho Police Department. Especially after the recent loss of Officer Anthony Haas.

I had the honor of working with Officer Gregg Benner for approximately 2 years before my retirement from the Rio Rancho Police Department in 2013. I knew Gregg to be a good officer who loved his new career. He was so proud of his accomplishments. Gregg was a very hard worker and was eager to come to work every day. I can honestly say that I never saw Gregg with anything but a big smile on his face. I know that he will be missed by all who have come to know him.

I believe that when Gregg entered the Gates of Heaven the God smiled and welcomed him with open arms and told Gregg, "Well done my son, well done".

God Bless my brother till we meet again.

Lieutenant Noel "Torchy" Adams (Retired)
Rio Rancho Police Department

May 28, 2015

Rest in Peace Officer Nigel Benner. Thank you for your service to this country and your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your department at this time.

Chief Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell, SC

May 28, 2015

Extending our heartfelt condolences for Officer Gregg Benner, his family, and extended family of the Rio Rancho Police Dept. May God bring him to everlasting peace and blessing for his sacrifice, devotion to duty, family and honorable service. Prayers for comfort of family, friends, loved ones left behind. God Bless, Shalom

Mr & Mrs Frank Carbone; Retired Police
Broward County Sheriff's Dept & Plantation Police Dept. - Florida

May 28, 2015

R.I.P. Officer Benner. God Bless you and your family, friends and brother and sisters in Blue!

Retired Dispatcher
Westminster Police Dept.Westminster, CA

May 28, 2015

Rest in Peace my brother your watch is over. I salute you.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and all my brothers and sisters of the Rio Rancho Police Department.

GODSPEED

Officer B. Ruth Retired
Baltimore County Police Department

May 28, 2015

God Bless your Service and your dedication to safety in your community. My prayers for your family and for your enternal rest and for your community and your fellow officers. God Bless.

Manager of Peace Officer Programs
Leduc, Alberta Canada

May 28, 2015

My deepest condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of Officer Benner. You all are most certainly in my prayers.

Michelle Bender-Gruber,RN
Army& firefighter mom

May 28, 2015

Nigel, I can't even believe I am sitting here writing this. This loss will forever leave a huge hole in our Department. I am grateful to have worked with you. Especially in Red River this past weekend battling for the most 47's. I can still hear you telling me "you better not let me catch you!!" I can't believe only 24 hours later I was trying everything in my power to save your life. You will truly be missed, rest easy my friend.

Sergeant Brian Thacker
RRPD

May 28, 2015

Thank you Nigel for the help you gave us. You reminded me of my Dad who was a WWII vet. You were a stand up guy that did the right thing by your very nature. May you receive God's blessing. Prayers to your wife that she will make it thru this difficult time. Rest in Peace you earned it.

RR resident.
RR resident.

May 28, 2015

Rest up in Peace my Brother in Blue. I hope in time your family and agency find peace in your passing.

Evil will never prosper as long as brave men and women such as yourself stand for good.

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

FTO D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

May 28, 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 family, 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 W. Moore, Retired
Gardner, KS Police Department

May 28, 2015

RIP, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family!

Disability Retirement Retired Officer Jo
Butler Police Department

May 28, 2015

Rita and I so sorry for the loss of this good person.
There is a saying the good die young. It never fails. We lost our son Deputy James F McGrane the same way. Just like this incident. A wanted felon that did not want to go back to prison. Why are these career criminals always the ones out on the street? Our heart goes out to the Benner family. May God be with you in these difficult days.

Jim McGrane
Father of Fallen Officer

May 27, 2015

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Benner. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Rio Rancho Police Department.

Scott Horne U.S. Postal Inspector
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

May 27, 2015

IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE, Rest in Peace Officer Gregg "Nigel" BENNER, watch over the rest of your brothers/sisters who will have to gather the strength to carry on, without you.

Our thoughts, prayers go out to the family

SGT. Chris Lundvall
Sandoval County Detention Center

May 27, 2015

I offer my sincere, heartfelt and deep condolences in the loss of Officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner, with prayers for his wife and six children; may God bring you comfort and peace in this sorrowful time and into the days that lie ahead in your bereavement; to be absent on earth is to be present with God in heaven! Rest in Peace dear brother, and thank you for your unselfish sacrifice to everyone that received your protection and strength while serving as a Police Officer security society's streets, property, and lives! MRP

Sergeant Michael Rayford Powell
State of Arkansas

May 27, 2015

Rest in Peace my friend.

L. Orozco
Mesa Police Dept. Mesa, Az

May 27, 2015

My Heart and Prayers to you and your family. God bless

Josh Holcomb FOrmer MP
none

May 27, 2015

Our prayers and condolences are in behalf of Officer Benner ' s family, friends & fellow officers. We have lost another true American hero & our hearts are broken at the loss of such a man.

Chief of Police Gregory Jones
Bosque Farms Police Department

May 27, 2015

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends. Thank you for your unselfish service.

James P Waggle, Jr.
Civilian

May 27, 2015

Rest in peace Brother we have the watch from here. May God Bless your family and friends.

Officer A. OROZCO
ADOT/ECD

May 27, 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

May 27, 2015