Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My family and I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Public Safety Officer Michael Ventura during this very difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May God help heal their aching hearts. May the moments you shared bring precious moments to last a lifetime. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace, Public Safety Officer Michael Ventura.

Gail Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04

July 11, 2016

Rest in peace officer Ventura my sincere condolences to your family and to your department Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold your service will not be forgotten

Officer Terry F. Zech (retired)
Veteran Affairs Police Department Detroit Michigan

July 11, 2016

Rest in Peace Josh

Thank you for your service! Your family and friends are so proud of all your accomplishments! My heart hurts for your entire family! You'll forever be in the hearts and memories of so many.

Lori
Family friend/neighbor

July 10, 2016

Josh, your dedication and commitment to help others will always be remembered. You are a hero and inspiration to many and you will never be forgotten my brother. God Bless

Deputy Dave McNichol
Lake County Sheriff's Office

July 10, 2016

"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
Sergeant

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

July 10, 2016

RIP

Stephen Bruet, PPO II NCDPS
NC Department of Public Safety

July 10, 2016

Officer Ventura, thank you sir for your service. To be killed in a traffic crash, and to have your career cut short in that manner is indeed a tragic occurrence. We will keep your family and Department in our thoughts. Please watch over us as we carry on.

Sergeant William Foley
Chicago Ridge IL PD

July 10, 2016

A Prayer for Public Safety Officer Michael J. Ventura:

Lord God, you are always faithful and quick to show mercy. Our Brother-in-Blue, Public Safety Officer Michael J. Ventura, of the Salem, Wisconsin Department of Public Safety, was taken from us suddenly and violently in the Line-of-Duty. Come swiftly to his aid, have mercy on him, and comfort his family, friends, and colleagues by the power and protection of the Cross. Heavenly Father, as we mourn the death of our Brother-in-Blue, Public Safety Officer Michael J. Ventura, show us the immense power of your goodness and strengthen our belief that he has entered into Your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don't want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose. Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should." [Romans 13:3-5 TLB]

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 ESV]

Pastor/Chaplain Steven R. Closs, BSBS, LOCM, MNACM
The Prayer Ministry of the Cross
Merrimack Police Department
Merrimack, NH 03054
“An Intercessory Prayer Ministry”

Captain Steven R. Closs #30
Nashua NH Police Department

July 10, 2016

I am honored to have worked with you and known you for years. RIP brother in blue. Your gone but not forgotten.

Corrections Officer James Lavalley
Lake County Sheriff's Office

July 10, 2016

Please accept these words of shock and sadness as my utmost respect for Michael's service to his community.

(former) Lt and Chief Dan Chlebos
Twin Lakes PD

July 10, 2016

Rest in peace Officer Ventura.

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

July 10, 2016

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

James P Waggle
Civilian

July 10, 2016

Rest in peace brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD-108 pct

July 10, 2016

RIP officer. Prayers to your blood, love and blue families.

Deputy sheriff Terri VanHouten
Rock County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska

July 10, 2016

I am sad to learn of the passing of a hero in Public Safety Officer Michael Joshua Ventura. I know today the Lord has welcomed him home where he now will patrol the golden streets of Heaven. May the Lord bring comfort to his family, friends and peers.

Retired TW Martinez
State of New Mexico

July 10, 2016

Public Safety Officer Michael Joshua Ventura, Rest in Peace.

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Sgt. Randy Keenan / Ret.
City of Alameda, CA Police Dept.

July 10, 2016

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Ventura during this time of tragic and sudden loss.

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

July 10, 2016

Sincerest regards to a corrections brother and his family.
Read and remember Psalm 15.
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.

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

July 10, 2016

So sorry for your loss of Officer Michael Ventura. I pray for his family, friends and coworkers.

Words can not express our sadness at your loss, our loss.

Deputy
Utah County Sheriff

July 10, 2016

RIP

Detective Sergeant Doug Teachworth (Lynn
Lynnwood WA PD

July 10, 2016

R I P Brother

Herbie Buck Ret. Officer
NYSDOCS

July 10, 2016

RIP brother! Your parents spoke often and proudly of you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

Officer Moravet
PRPD

July 10, 2016

Thank you for your service. Praying for your Family & Dept.

Detective Monica Veney
Baltimore City Police Department

July 10, 2016

God Speed, Brother.

Sgt. K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 10, 2016

Officer Ventura, we mourn you today and forever. Thank you for your service and may you forever Rest in Peace.

God Bless you, Brother.

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

July 10, 2016