Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lance,
You were always good for a laugh and you did not hesitate to tell me how you felt. I still have not processed that you are gone despite the fact. I will miss you brother. We will give you a perfect send off and take care of your watch.

Rest in peace brother,

Lieutenant Jonathan Yarbrough
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

May 21, 2018

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray Psalm 91 over all LEO’s and this prayer also:

“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 know that God sends those angels to watch over our officers, sometimes to protect them and sometimes to whisk our officers into His presence.

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.

I have lifted your family to God every morning for over six years. I pray that Lance's life and death will bring glory to His name.

Trust 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

May 21, 2018

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

May 20, 2018

My condolences to your family! May God give them peace and strength during this time. Rest easy Officer Lance Whitaker.

Civilian

May 20, 2018

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

James P Waggle
Civilian

May 20, 2018

PO LANCE C WHITAKER MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

MICHAEL D LONG
RETIRED NEW YORK STATE POLICE

May 19, 2018

Only got to work with him on a couple mutual calls for service while working private security. Didn't take long to know he was passionate about the calling to serve. Even searching for a firearm, he asked me about my career goals, and gave encouragement to chase my dream to be a police officer. He will be missed by this community for a long time to come. Fair winds and following seas, rest easy, you have done your time in hell. We will take it from here

J. Ogletree
private security jacksonville fl

May 18, 2018

RIP

Stephen Bruet PPO
NCDPS

May 18, 2018

Rest in peace my brother in Arms

Anrae Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police

May 18, 2018

Rest in peace brorher.

Corporal (Ret) Brian Sullivan
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

May 18, 2018

Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire family, friends, co-workers and all who knew him. We can’t express our gratitude for the job you did sir, and how you made our country safer place to live. May God help all who are suffering find peace with what a hero you are. See you soon. We will take it from here!!!

Mom/President of WTC Tammy Avent
Mother of BPA Jose (Joey) Barraza EOW: 4-18-16

May 18, 2018

My condolences to family and friends. Rest in peace Officer Whitaker and thank you for your service!

William Jernigan

May 18, 2018

My heart goes out to the Whitaker family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God’s comfort and strength carry you through day.

RIP

Brenda Taylor-Widow
CHP Officer Mark T Taylor-EOW 11/26/1987

May 18, 2018

God bless Officer Whitaker's family, friends and coworkers and give them strength and peace to get through their grief and pain. Thank you for your service brother.

Detective Sergeant Clark O. Parry
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, New York

May 18, 2018

The Luft Family and our children would love to express our condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Lance Whitaker.

Lance was an amazing man, as you can see in that smile and those eyes; he was full of fun, compassion, warmth of heart, and above all friendship. He was a joy to have in your presence.

Lance you will be missed here and we so appreciate your service to us and your community. You paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to have safety here in Jacksonville FL.

To your family, I pray that God the Father will comfort you during this time, but be sure to grieve- even Jesus wept. Let the Father heal you and bring the fondest of memories to you all. Lance is in the face of the King, in a place of Eternal "Hello's" and Lance will be waiting for you when you arrive...never to say "goodbye" again. God Bless you all.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Lance, you will always have a place in our hearts. Farewell for now my friend....see you in Eternity one day.
Love, Lisa & Jon Luft, and Michael Holland.

Lisa Luft
Long time friends

May 18, 2018

Rest in Peace PO Whitaker.

Police Officer Ahmed Danso-Faried - Whit
White Plains Police Department

May 18, 2018

May the heavens look after you the way you looked after us. Thank you for your service.

Corrections Officer Randall Blodgett
Missouri Department of Corrections

May 18, 2018

I am sorry for your loss to the Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends.
I will keep all of you in my prayers. RIP Sir!

Wm Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP, Trafic & Escort Unit

May 18, 2018

On behalf of the Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy, we send our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Officer Whitaker.

Recruit Joshua Miller

May 17, 2018

Thank you Officer Whitaker for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Florida. 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 NEVER DIE...

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

May 17, 2018

May God bless your family. May God also strengthen your family during this very difficult time. RIP Peace Brother!

First Class Deputy & Antoine Thomas
Wake County Sheriff’s Office

May 17, 2018

Officer Whitaker, may you rest in peace our bother. You will never forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Department

May 17, 2018

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

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

May 17, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother!

Patrol officer Armando Valenzuela
Roswell Police Department

May 17, 2018

RIP AND THANX FOR SERVING AND PROTECTING US DAIL MUCH LOVE FAMILY
DELORES WHITAKER !!!!

None
DELORES WHITAKER

May 17, 2018