Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

42 years. I wonder what you’d be like now. Would you be proud of us all? What kind of grandpa would you have been? I wonder if the family would have stayed closer if you where still here? I wonder where in your career you would have went? How many people you could have helped?
Miss you.
❤️ Kim

Kimberly Kult
Daughter

July 3, 2024

Hi dad,
It never gets easier. People say time heals and I guess it does in away, but the sadness never leaves. You have everything to your job. I am so proud of you but I’d give it all up to hug you one more time.

Kimberly Garrison
Daughter

July 3, 2022

Dear Dad,
It’s been 39 years since I heard and felt your leaving.
I miss you daly. My memories of you as a Deputy are of how proud you were as an Officer. You gave literally everything for your job.
I was so proud to be your daughter.
Miss you forever.

Kimberly Garrison
Daughter

July 3, 2021

Praying for your family, friends, colleagues, and agency during this very difficult time for them and all of us. Thank you for your service! We shall remember you with pride and admiration always! May God Bless the Blue!

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

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4] and;

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

Depart in peace, Brother-in-Blue; in the name of God the Father who created you; in the name of Christ Jesus who redeemed you; in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. May you rest in peace and dwell forever with the Lord. Amen.

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, RPP, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy

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

February 22, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 3, 2020

I miss u daddy... I remember it like it was yesterday...Soo much time has passed...but the pain missing u continues...until we're together...daddy...I love u

Daughter

April 2, 2020

Dad,
I think of you often even after all this time. So many times I’ve wondered what my life would have been if you were still with us.
❤️

Kim Garrison
Daughter

May 22, 2019

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Dad

Life is busy sometimes and don't get to visit as much as I would like but you are forever in my heart. Miss you every day...Nick is amazing and I see bits of you in him.

Shawn
son

August 14, 2014

We still miss you and love you. Wish you could have stayed with us longer.

Ann Garrison Smith
wife

July 3, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phylllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 28, 2012

I never got a chance to meet you, Your two Grand children have been told about you and we are always talking about you. They Love and Miss you

John Andrew and Ally Capps
Son-n Law and Grandchildren

July 3, 2012

Terry, 30 Years later...it's still the same as yesterday.

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

Funeral Death Poem by Henry Scott Holland ~ 1847-1918
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral ~ London. UK

Ann Garrison Smith
Officer's wife

July 3, 2012

Grandpa, today is 30 years since you were killed. I wish I could have met you. I am the youngest grandchild of the nine and I will be 10 years old on the 24th of July. By the way Grandma talks about you I feel like you are alive, Grandpa. I have seen your picture so many times I feel like it is a person not a picture. I know my Mom and Grandma miss you especially on this day. Your youngest daughter, Erin, is my mom. We always think about you and keep you in our prayers.

Emma, your youngest grandchild.

July 3, 2012

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TERRIBLY, DADDY!!! YEARS DO NOT ERASE ANY OF THE PAIN THAT I STILL CARRY WITH ME BUT COMFORTING ME ALONG MY JOURNEY IS THAT ONE DAY WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME ALONG MY LIFE'S PATH AND ANYTIME I NEED YOU, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS WHISPER YOUR NAME AND YOU ARE THERE!!! LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER, BUCKWHEAT

BUCKWHEAT
DAUGHTER

May 12, 2012

Tomorrow is your Birthday, a long time ago, but I still remember.
†♥I thought about you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that, too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake - from which I'll never part. God has you in His arms... I have you in my heart! ♥†
Love, Ann and the kids

Ann Burton Garrison Smith
Wife

August 5, 2011

2010 already
but it seems like yesturday
the night Gary knocked on the door
to say you went away.

Still sadly missed by your Family

Ann
Wife

May 16, 2010

I never met him but I know him by photos and by heart. I wish he got to live another day too see us ALL! I went to Jefferson City for a feild trip and found a memoriol for police officers who died and saw James T. Garrison right there engraved on a solid copper plate with all the others.
I wish that they gave him a bulletproof vest so he would LIVE!!!!!!!!!

Nicholas James Garrison
grandchild

March 21, 2008

"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
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 6, 2007

Today is May 15, National Police Officer's Memorial Day and the 25th year since your name was added.
We still light candles, and miss you every day.
Love, Your Family

Ann Garrison-Smith
Wife

May 15, 2007

Thank you for your service and sacfice to your family and community.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 3, 2005

To My Family:

If tomorrow starts without me,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you miss me too.
When tomorrow comes without me, please try and understand,
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
He said my place was ready, in Heaven far above,
and I would have to leave behind all whom I dearly love.
As I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, because all my life I always thought I didn't want to die!
I had so much to live for, so much I wanted to do,
It seemed almost impossible that now I was leaving you!
I thought of all the yesturdays, the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared, the family that we had.
I thought if I could relive yesturday, just even for awhile,
I'd hold you all close in my arms and try to make you smile.
But then I came to realize that this would never be,
For emptiness and memories are all you'll have of me.
When I was taken into Heaven I felt like I went home!
Love embraced me everywhere, God was on his Golden Throne.
HE said "THIS IS ETERNITY,
AND ALL I'VE PROMISED YOU."
TODAY YOUR LIFE ON EARTH IS PAST,
BUT HERE LIFE STARTS ANEW.

So when tomorrow comes, don't think of us apart,
Everytime you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Ann Garrison Smith
Officer's wife

October 8, 2004

My Grandpa was a hero but we never got to meet him. We have his green eyes. We wish we could have known you, Grandpa. We miss you and we love you.

Allison and Andrew
Grandchildren

July 27, 2004

God Bless You
Rest in Peace

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Pct 2

September 11, 2003

THE LAST ROLL CALL ...

The Deputy stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.

"STEP FORWARD NOW, OFFICER. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY TEACHINGS HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

The Deputy squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills piled up real steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the Deputy waited quietly, for the judgement of his God.

"BE NOT AFRAID, TERRY, YOU'VE LEARNED YOUR LESSONS WELL. YOU'VE EARNED A PLACE OF HONOR HERE; YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL. "
(Author Unknown)

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