Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I did it.
I'm sorry you aren't alive to see it.
But I did it.

To the man who took shadow and turned it to light.

December 19, 2024

Sheriff Brad Swain, along with the deputies & staff of MCSO, offer our heartfelt sympathy to your entire department and to the family of your fallen officer, Detective Tom Breedlove.
May the outpouring of support and encouragement you receive from agencies both near and far, provide you with peace and comfort at this difficult time

Liane Johnson, #53-66
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Indiana
U.S.A.

November 17, 2021

Rest in peace Detective Tommy Breedlove and thank you for your service.

CBP Officer(retired), Luis R Otero
DHS/Bureau Of Customs And Border Protection

November 2, 2021

Detective Breedlove,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

October 17, 2021

Tommy, you taught me so much during my time in Major Case. The legacy you leave behind will never be forgotten. You saved the lives of many children victim of sex assault

Officer Jefferson Rodriguez
Coconut Creek Police Department

October 9, 2021

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

September 22, 2021

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden & State Trooper (Retired)

September 22, 2021

RIP Detective Breedlove, thank you for all you did for me.

anonymous teenager
he saved my life

September 19, 2021

RIP Detective Breedlove. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Hernando County

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

September 19, 2021

I met Det Breedlove during an investigation. In the shirt time I worked with Tom, I could sense his love of his family. Godspeed

Special Agent Ellen Pierson
HSI

September 16, 2021

Heavenly Father, You commit to us the swift and solemn trust of life: since we know not what a day may bring forth, but only that the hour for serving You is always present, may we wake to the instant claims of Your will upon our lives. In the face of questions without answers, of dreams unfulfilled, of the emptiness that will not go away, we are only compelled to thank You always for lives faithfully lived, for good memories and living hopes. We are reminded as we pray for family and friends who are touched with the feeling of sorrow, that we pray to one who does not let go unnoticed even the falling of a sparrow to earth. We pray to one who weeps for his world, and therefore we come trusting that in life or death, we may find rest and comfort in Him. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, BSBS, NCCA
Ordained / Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Associate Pastor – United National Church
Christian Police Chaplain Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret)
Nashua NH Police Department

September 14, 2021

Deepest sympathy to the family of Detective Tom Breedlove, and to his Brothers and Sisters of the Overton County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee. May GOD give peace, comfort and understanding to his family, friends and associates. RIP Brother.

Chaplain Terry L. Longacre. MTPD (Retire
Red Rose Lodge FOP# 16 Lancaster, County, Pennsylvania

September 13, 2021

I knew and worked with Tom since coming up to the SAO in the Fifth Circuit after having spent 20 years in the Broward SAO. Tom was old school LEO although not as old as myself having worked the street in Dade County from 75-82. Tom was a true professional working his cases and was a great interviewer as he let the subjects' talk and didn't interrupt them knowing that when they lied we'd uncover it and put it to them at trial. Since 2002 the murders he put together or assisted with for prosecution and tried to a jury resulted in life sentences and/or a death sentence. I'll miss his hard work and his humor. May God Bless his family during these trying times. Thanks for being a true law enforcement professional. Pete

Peter F Magrino
Former DCPSD, MSPD, ASA Broward County and current ASA 5th Circuit

September 13, 2021

James P Waggle, Jr.
Civilian

September 13, 2021

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
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 13, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Breedlove. Thank you Sir for your service and sacrifice to our community. Thoughts and prayers for your immediate family and fellow colleagues.

Former reserve Deputy ( OCSO) FL Eddie A
Osceola county Sheriff's office

September 13, 2021

Detective Breedlove, Tommy, and I worked together interagency. Tommy, made me want to be not only a better officer but a better person. We speak so much of hero's and what they are. They come in many different forms. To me, and I used to tell him so, he was one of my hero's. I wanted to so much be like him not only professionally but personally. He dedicated to his family, church, and the community. He served with true humility never seeking personal recognition. He was a great Christian and it showed in everything he did.

Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall by called the children of God.

-Matthew 5:9

CPSS Samuel Flynn
FCC- Brooksvlle

September 12, 2021

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

September 12, 2021

I knew Detective Breedlove professionally for over 15 years, while sharing common knowledge of offenders in our respective counties.

I always remember him being a dedicated detective, husband and father. You will truly be missed. RIP Tom!

Law Enforcement Analyst, Cindy Schaer
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

September 11, 2021

Tommy was one of the most selfless people you could ever meet. He was truly a genuine person. He was always cheerful and a true joy to be around. If you had the pleasure of knowing Tommy, you knew he was a dedicated husband and father, a faithful servant to the community, and an Angel to so many victims who had been harmed in unspeakable ways.

We at the Sheriff’s Office were blessed to have him in our ranks. While a gentle man, he walked tall and was well respected amongst his peers. To compare our time with Tommy ( and to borrow from Newton), “If we have seen farther, it was because we stood on the shoulders of a giant.” Tommy was that wonderful gentle giant who encouraged us and pushed us further than we thought we could go.

You will be missed my Brother. I will miss discussing history with you. You were a great detective, a scholar and academic, a wonderful person, and just an all around great guy. We have lost a true Treasure of the Law Enforcement community and Hernando County.

God Speed and I will see you again some day.

Deputy Pilot Roy McLaughlin
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office

September 10, 2021

On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Detective Tom Breedlove and the extended law enforcement family of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Florida.


End of Watch Saturday, September 4, 2021


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 10, 2021

Detective Breedlove, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. It took a small virus to take your life. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. May God immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

September 10, 2021

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Detective, Tom Breedlove, from complications of the COVD-19 Virus. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Detective succumbs from this deadly virus. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

September 9, 2021

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

September 9, 2021

Tommy thank you for your service, compassion, and amazing sense of humor.
You were always a wealth of knowledge and an amazing history buff.
Rest easy sir, we will hold the line from here.

Lt. William Power
Hernando County Sheriff's Office

September 9, 2021