Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Although you and I never met, I was fortunate to have met your family early in my career. The stories of your life and dreams were a beacon of direction for me in my early years and for that I am eternally grateful. To you, as well as, to your entire family.
Until we meet on the other side......... May you rest in peace.

Retired Commander S.D. Croye
North Miami Police Department

April 6, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Melendez.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2019

Officer John R. Melendez will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in Heaven.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb (Retired)
New York State Police

February 19, 2018

NEVER FORGOTTEN
LOVE ALWAYS, MARIA

MARIA T GONZALEZ EA
X-WIFE

October 17, 2013

Another new year and still not forgotten, I miss you dad, RIP

Jackie Pardue
Daughter

January 23, 2013

We will never forget.. Continue to rest in peace Officer Melendez.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

October 17, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Melendez. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all, and you sir are a hero. May you continue to rest in peace Officer Melendez.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

October 17, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 17, 2010

We will never forget ...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

October 17, 2010

Hey Ricky. Strange to see you after all this time. Brothers couldn't have loved each other more than we did. Good times and bad. Ran hard and fast, didn't we? We said we would never grow old. Sadly that came true for you. Amazing how much our lives twisted into each others. Still that way. You know what I mean. Rest In Peace.

Rene Fourcand
Brothers @ Heart

June 7, 2010

My Dear uncle, not a day goes by where you arent on my mind. I think of you always and even have your picture by my bedside. I wish I got to know you, Mom says sometimes I remind her of you. It does make me happy knowing we were able to meet and you held me your first niece. If you were only here now to see all your nieces and nephews! We're a big strong happy family and we are blessed to have you watching down on us. I know everything happens for a reason and one day we will meet again, until that day rest in peace and welcome me at heavens gate when my turn comes. I love you.

Love Always and Forever
Your first Niece Jackie Rivera <3

Jacqueline A. Rivera
Niece (first)

May 11, 2010

You will alway be in my heart,and Thank you for the bueatiful daughter you gave me.
Maria

Maria T Gonzalez
First Wife

March 20, 2009

Even though I did not get to know you, I miss you very much. Life is hard without your real dad around. It's nice to know you had lots of friends and family, maybe one day I will get to know all of you. Just always know you’re in my heart and you will always be my guardian angel...

RIP Dad I miss you!
Your daughter, Tasha...

Jackelean N. Pardue
Daughter

March 16, 2009

RIP.Your memory lives on and will not be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 12, 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 9, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 16, 2007

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in law, your watch on earth is over.

SGT. John L. Gulledge Retired
Escambia CO FL SO

April 28, 2007

To his family and close friends john was known as Rick or Ricky. We became good friends and eventually called each other brother. Rick and I were always hanging out together and joking around. When people saw one of us alone they always asked where our shadow was. He had a great sense of humor and joy of life. He wanted so much to be an officer that we would practice scenarios in his backyard to help him in his eventual training. Of course, I was always the bad guy. I’ve missed him so much over these many years. He was a good man from a great family who was taken way before his time.

Rest in peace Rick. You will never be forgotten.

I will always love you as my brother.

Ant

Antoine Fourcand
We called each other Brother

August 17, 2006

Rest in peace.

Offc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

June 14, 2006

I wish i had something nice to say but i dont i was only four when my father died all i can do is thank every one who left a reflection for him youve helped me learn about my father and it lets me know he was a good man i will miss him forever i know i carry his dream in my heart soon i will be an officer to i hope i can accomplish everything he couldnt (tasha)

Jackelean natasha wilder

September 9, 2005

John and I had started becoming very close friends in the months prior to his death. He was somebody I genuinely liked from the moment I met him. We were both from NYC. My wife and I traveled to Germany for 2 weeks that October, and we returned to find that he had died during this pursuit. I have never been so bummed out in my life. John always wanted to be a cop, and you knew he would be a damn good one too. I felt he would become one of the very best cops I had ever known. He had gone to the L.A. Police Academy for some period of time before having to postpone that dream for a while due to personal family matters. But he never stopped wanting to be a full-time sworn officer. When he got on with the Bal Harbour P.D. it was one of the happiest moments in his life. The sadness still touches me to this day. I have gone to The Wall to see his name. His wonderful wife went on to raise his son as if he was her very own.

Chief Inspector Rudy Friederich (Ret.)
U.S. Marshals Service

July 3, 2005

Rest in peace. You are not forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

March 17, 2005

John, I was best friends with your cousin, Jeff. He told me your story years ago, before I became a cop. Now I found you here. He also told me about the medal of valor you received when you were still a rookie. You died a hero bro. God bless you brother. I am sure we'll meet one day. May your soul rest in Gods kingdom.

Police Officer
DEP POLICE (FLORIDA)

December 8, 2004

REST IN PEACE

October 13, 2004