Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Joshua was killed in the line of duty.

To the Ryer family, fellow deputies, and all who call Joshua beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support. I know that that you will receive that same kind of support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Deputy Ryer gave to his community and the citizens of Georgia and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 29, 2019.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 17, 2020

Rest In Peace

Mark Mottola

January 29, 2020

To all the family and friends of Deputy Ryer, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for God's comfort, hope, and peace to help you as you move through the days, months and years to come.

Pam
Wife of Lt. Kevin Clyde Mainhart EOW 5/11/2019

May 20, 2019

Prayers to you and your Family. This is a very hard pill to swallow especially at such a young age but God had a plan for you. Thank You my brother in blue for your service. We will take it from here and God bless!

Allan Kirby
Drug Investigator- Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office

April 25, 2019

Josh, I love you and I miss you. I’ll carry you with me every single day I put on the badge. I’ll try to do my part to make a difference in this messed up world because I know that’s what you would have done. A young man with a good heart and an old soul. Rest easy, little brother, you did your work and now class 021 has the watch.

Deputy Britt Nelson
BCSO

April 24, 2019

Rest in paradise Ryer. I’m glad to have met you during our time in the Academy. You were and always will be my brother. I love you Ryer, rest easy. We have the watch from here.

Cdt. Jalin Anderson
GSP

April 20, 2019

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

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

April 14, 2019

RIP Brother

Deputy Tim Duvall
Boyd County KY Sheriffs Department

April 7, 2019

I had the pleasure of going to the academy with Ryer. He was quiet at first. But always funny. You are so missed Ryer. Praying for your family and GCSO. Class021 will take the watch from here

Officer H Meagher
AUPD

March 25, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Ryer,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Glascock County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

March 16, 2019

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
author unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department

March 3, 2019

KJV Bible:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Rest easy, your watch is covered.

Ron Cook Sr., Lt. Ret
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

February 16, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr., ASAC
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 11, 2019

Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Ryer during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Matt 5:9
Deputy Donnie Meaders (Retired)
Okfuskee County (OK) Sheriff's Office

February 9, 2019

On behalf of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences. R.I.P. Deputy Ryer, may God bless you and keep you. May God comfort your family, friends and all our brothers and sisters with the Glascock County Sheriff's Office. May God wrap you in his loving arms and grant your family and friends strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers my brother. Please know that you and your service will never be forgotten my brother. Fidelis Ad Mortem my brother as we remain Standing Tall For Those Who Have Fallen. We have the watch from here.

Corporal James Barth
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, Tampa, Fla.

February 7, 2019

It was heart breaking to learn of yet another young hero murdered in the line of duty. Just know you will always live in my heart and never be forgotten. May God Be with your precious family, friends and fellow officers and our great nation.

John C. Turner
Mobile, Al.

February 7, 2019

My condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Joshua Bryan Ryer, Jr. Losing a loved one is always difficult. Please take comfort in Jesus words found at John 5:28,29 where he said that there would be a resurrection. Just think of the time when we will see our loved ones again, in paradise conditions, here on earth. Once again, I am sorry for your lost.

Cpl. William Stanback (Retired)
Pennsylvania State Police

February 6, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Ryer. My thoughts & prayers are with your family, friends, and the GCSO.

Sgt. Scott Seitz
Plainsboro Township NJ Police Department

February 6, 2019

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.

Deputy Jamie Davis Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office Pittsylvania County Virginia

February 5, 2019

Thank you Deputy Ryer, Jr., for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Georgia. 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

February 5, 2019

Pray the family, friends and department feel the love, strength, comfort and grace of our loving God. Knowing that our Lord Jesus knows your hurting and is a friend that is closer than a brother.

Chaplain Jim Brackeen
Richmond Hill Police Department

February 5, 2019

Dear Almighty God.
Our loved ones will argue, but it has been said it is better to live one day as a lion, than a lifetime as a lamb. You worked to make your dream come true and you became that lion; something many of us will never accomplish. With all respect, tears and prayers for strength. Dear Almighty God.

Citizen Volunteer
Los Angeles Police Department

February 4, 2019

Rest in Peace my Brother in Arms

Spc. Anrae Godley-Cooper
U.S.Army Military Police

February 4, 2019

Rest In Peace...

Retired Detective Ed Falkowski
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

February 3, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother

Criminal Investigator Greg Kouba
Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, Victoria, Texas

February 3, 2019