Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Police Chief Buddy Crabtree. I am truly sorry for your loss. The service and sacrifice of Chief Crabtree will not be forgotten.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

December 27, 2021

Sheriff Brad Swain, along with the deputies & staff of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (Indiana), offer our heartfelt sympathy to your entire department and to the family of your fallen Police Chief, Buddy Crabtree. 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.

December 9, 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

December 3, 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

November 30, 2021

Crabtree family and friends may Good grant all of you with a speedy healing. Chief Crabtree thank you for your service to your Community and Department. Most of all thank you for your Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty.

Rudy Jones ( Retired )
Former Reserve Sgt.Cuyahoga Falls OH Police Dept.

November 26, 2021

Thank you for your service and duty.

Dushyant Bharat Karani

November 25, 2021

Chief Crabtree,

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

November 24, 2021

To Chief Buddy Crabtree's wife, four children, eight grandchildren and officers of the Ider Police Department: I am deeply sorry for your loss. Buddy is in a much better place now and is in God's hands. Rest easy Buddy, we will take the watch from here.

Reserve Deputy Brian Jacobsen
Mahaska County Iowa Sheriff’s Office

November 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)

November 21, 2021

Chief Crabtree, 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

November 20, 2021

On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Police Chief Buddy Crabtree the extended law enforcement family of the Ider Police Department, Alabama.


End of Watch Saturday, October 30, 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

November 19, 2021

Rest in Peace Chief Crabtree. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Crabtree Family and the Ider Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

November 18, 2021

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

November 18, 2021

Rest in Peace Police Chief Buddy Crabtree! Thank you for your 10 years of service with the Ider Police Department, in Alabama and for your previous service with the Bridgeport Police Department. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your wife, your four children, and your eight grandchildren during this tragedy, and we want them to know that you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the rest of your family and to all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

November 18, 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 Police Chief, Buddy Crabtree, from complications of the COVID-19 Virus. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Police Chief succumbs from this deadly virus. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed. Our Prayers and Thoughts to the Bridgeport Police Department where Chief Crabtree had previously served.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

November 18, 2021

RIP Chief Crabtree. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Ider and Bridgeport

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

November 18, 2021

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

November 18, 2021

Rest in peace Brother.....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of your agency during this most difficult and tragic time....

LT. Joseph Ward, Ret
Jackson, NJ PD

November 18, 2021

Rest in Peace Chief Crabtree. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, coworkers and friends.

Lieutenant Robert T. Mote (ret)
Buena Park, CA Police Department

November 18, 2021

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Ider Police Department. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother!

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

November 18, 2021

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 18, 2021

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow coworkers of Police Chief Buddy Crabtree during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Police Chief Buddy Crabtree.

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

November 17, 2021

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

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

November 17, 2021

Most merciful God, You hold each of us dear to Your heart. Hold all those law enforcement officers and their families, who are afflicted or affected by the COVID-19 Virus, in Your loving arms and tenderly draw them into Your life, together with all others who are living with the COVID-19 Virus. Assure them that they are not alone, and give them courage and faith for all that is to come. Strengthen those who care for them and treat them, and guide those who do research. Forgive those who have judged harshly, and enlighten those who live in prejudice or fear. Nourish those who have lost sight of You, and heal the spirits of those who are broken. We pray this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died, and then rose from the dead to lead us into new life, now and forever. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, RPP, CCC, NCCA
Ordained / Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

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

November 17, 2021

On behalf of POINT 27, we would like to offer condolences for Police Chief Buddy Crabtree. Please know we are eternally grateful for Buddy’s service and his ultimate sacrifice.

To honor Chief Crabtree, POINT 27 sent 27 Thin Blue Line Dog Tag Necklaces, engraved with “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9, to the Ider Police Department in Ider, Alabama for Buddy’s partner and fellow officers. POINT 27 sent a Folded Flag Necklace engraved with “Greater Love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 for Chief of Police Buddy Crabtree’s wife.

POINT 27 is a Non-Profit organization with a mission to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their families, by sharing scripture on Dog Tags and Jewelry called Shields of Strength.

We will never forget and we are forever grateful.

Respectfully,

Colonel David Dodd,
United States Army Retired
Executive Director-POINT 27

Detective Jerry M. Rhodes (Retired)
Dallas Police Department-Reserve Division
POINT 27 National Outreach Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison
[email protected]
214-908-2617

Detective Jerry M. Rhodes (Retired)
Dallas Police Department Reserve Division
POINT 27- National Out Reach Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison

November 17, 2021