Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service.

VA SPO
VA SPO

March 16, 2016

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, FIRST SERGEANT JOSEPH G. PORTARO.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Trooper'
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest.
Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goal are the same, to serve and protect our communities. We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are: Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state prisons, county jails, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of good over evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for Law Enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
BLUE LIVES MATTER - If we don't respond to that call for help, or investigate that suspicious subject, or stop for that stranded motorist, or rush to that call of shots fired then who will?
FIRST SERGEANT TAYLOR
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens in the State of West Virginia with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have served and protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you my Brother!
I commend you fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do........Serving and Protecting your community with Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR IT, "LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW".
FINAL CALL
First Sergeant Taylor status..First Sergeant Taylor status.. First Sergeant Taylor status.........Attention All Units........ West Virginia State Police, First Sergeant Joseph G. Portaro having served the citizens in the State of West Virginia with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen Brother, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

March 15, 2016

Thank you for your service First Sergeant Portaro. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and department. Rest in peace brother.

Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy
Session #60
Schenectady, NY

Recruit Barber

March 15, 2016

You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept. NY

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace brother, your tour of duty is complete. Thank you for your service and commitment to the safety of your state and community. God bless the family of 1st Sgt Portaro during this time of sudden and tragic loss.

Sr. Ptlmn Donnie Meaders(RET)
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

March 15, 2016

Final Salute First Sergeant Portaro, thank you for your service. You are a Hero. Rest peacefully in the presence of God. We are praying for the family and fellow officers.

Former Patrol Sergeant
Johnny Allison
Wylie TX Police Dept

March 15, 2016

God Bless you First Sergeant and thank you for your service. May you now forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 15, 2016

Feel His presence as God answers the prayers of many who have fallen to their knees on your behalf. Since the day of my son's death, I have carried every law enforcement officer and their family in my heart.

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray:

“Lord, Be with all law enforcement officers. Keep them safe and free from harm. They are Your soldiers on the front line of the battle against evil. If one should fall this day - wrap their family in your loving arms. Surround them with Your angels, loving family, friends, neighbors and caring people to comfort them. Ease their pain. Help them to mourn well. In Jesus' name and for Your Glory, Amen.”

I have lifted you and your family to God every morning for over five years. Feel those prayers. God is with you; He knows and will ease your pain.

Our faith helps us to see beyond the grave.

Pamela Hotsinpiller
Mother of
Deputy United States Marshal
Derek W. Hotsinpiller
EOW 2-16-2011

March 15, 2016

Rest in Peace and God Bless You F/Sgt. Portaro.

Cpl Mike Dougherty
Marshall County Sheriffs Office

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.

Deputy J. Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace 1/Sgt . Prayers to you and your family.

Cpl T Jonischek
Maryland State Police

March 15, 2016

1sg Portaro was also one of my instructors on "the hill" as well and I was also assigned to clean his vehicle for the entire time I was there, and he would rather talk to you than allow you to clean it. In fact, my partner and I had to beg him to let us do it so it appeared that we were at least doing something for him. He was a big reason I made it through the academy. An extremely understanding and knowledgeable trooper. May you rest in peace, bless your family, and know that you represented the blue line with honor and integrity.

E. Bishop
DOJ

March 15, 2016

On behalf of the members of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST), we extend our sincere condolences to the family of First Sgt. Joseph G. Portaro, as well as, the members of the West Virginia State Police. AAST members throughout the United States know first hand what all of you are going through right now. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Keith Barbier, President
American Association of State Troopers, Inc.

March 15, 2016

God bless you and your family.
Rest in peace brother.

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

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace, brother.

Corporal (Retired) Glenn Elliott
Temple Police Department--Temple,Tx

March 15, 2016

When I attended the WVSP Academy, if there was free time, Sgt.(at the time)Portaro would always find time to talk about the area that him and I both were from. He was stationed there and I was around two hours from home so it was nice to have someone the talk to. He had stated he did miss working the road and he thought about returning and I hoped he would because it would've been an honor to work and learn from him. I believe Sgt. Portaro was doing his best to change the culture of the Academy for the betterment of the officers and the public alike and it truly saddens me to see my brother go at such a young age. My prayers to his family, the WVSP and my fellow brothers as well....John 15:13

Fmr Deputy R.W. Fox
SD

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace Sgt. Portaro

Dennis M. Carr, Sheriff (Ret)
Monroe County Iowa Sheriff's Office

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace brother.

Officer Kyle Groose
Laramie PD, WY

March 15, 2016

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

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

March 15, 2016

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

Sgt E. Kemmer
Nevada Highway Patrol

March 15, 2016

Rest in peace brother. Thoughts are with your family both blue and blood during this difficult time. Thank you First Sergeant Portraro for your 17 years of service and dedication to your community.

Detective Sergeant David Post
Reno County Sheriff's Office Hutchinson, KS

March 15, 2016

God Speed, Brother.

Sgt. K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 15, 2016

May God rest your soul in peace First Sergeant Joseph Portaro. Our prayer are with you and your loved ones. Thank you for your service to our country and your fellowmen.

CBP Officer(retired), Luis Otero
DHS/CBP

March 15, 2016

Thank you for your service. Condolences to your family, friends, and fellow LEO's.

C. Ford
Wife of retired LEO

March 15, 2016

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD-108pct

March 15, 2016