Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

BILL TONEY WAS NOT ONLY A COWORKER, HE WAS A VERY CLOSE FRIEND.  I TRAINED AND WORKED WITH BILL BEFORE I LEFT AND WENT TO ANOTHER AGENCY. BILL WAS AN EXCELLENT FRIEND.  ON MANY OF THOSE SLOW NIGHTS WE WERE WORKING, WE WOULD "SIGNAL 8" AND TALK ABOUT LIFE, FAMILY, KIDS, GROWING OLD, AND HIS FAVORITE, JIMMY BUFFETT.  NOT A DAY HAS GONE BY THAT I DO NOT THINK ABOUT BILL OR HIS FAMILY.  IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT BILL AND I KNEW EACH OTHER, I CONSIDERED BILL A "BIG" BROTHER.  AND FOR HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND WONDERFUL KIDS, I ASPIRE TO BE AS GOOD AS HUSBAND AND FATHER THAT HE WAS TO HIS WIFE AND KIDS. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS, TRULY MISS BILL.  I KNOW HE IS WATCHING OVER ALL OF US, ALL OF THE TIME.  BILL, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN...

QUIETLY MAKING NOISE,

SPECIAL AGENT JASON CHAPMAN
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE

Hero...

The only word that anyone should hear when someone says your name. Thank you for all you did in your short tour of duty on this earth. May God be with your family and friends forever and a day.

     Brothers In Arms

Wishard Medics

William "Bill" Toney was a classmate of mine at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (98-134)and also a fellow squad member.  Bill was always quick with a joke and always tried to lend a helping hand to any who needed it.  Bill will be missed by those from his class as well as others that knew him.  I wish to extend thanks to the citizens of Beech Grove for thier thoughtfullness towards Officer Toney's family in thier time of need.

Steve Vallance
Auburn Police Dept

May God be a Father to your children and a husband to your wife.

Rest In Peace

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent
FBI Detroit Division

To my brothers and sisters in Beech Grove,--heart felt pain . To the family, my deepest regrets. We here in Fort Wayne lost one of ours on 10-5.

God Bless and rest in peace brother,

sergeant brian burton
fort wayne,in

Since I've had a few friends die in the line of duty I've become ever more concerned for the families of those Officers who give their life.  I truly feel that brotherhood with all Law Enforcement Officers and shed a tear each time one is killed.  Brother William, you can rest well now and still watch over your family.  From what I've read you were one heck of a guy.  I'm sure your wife and kids know how much you love them.  To your co-workers, remember, although Williams death is senseless, know he gave it his all.  Call it rhetoric if you want, but I'm sure he is in Heaven with God and still sees and hears each of you.  Find it in your heart to go on and remember him with respect and dedication to the job you still have to do.  We are the unsung hero's. Learn, train and live that way.  God bless each of you and my prayers are with Mrs. Toney and the kids.  God and daddy will watch after you.  God's speed brother William, say hi to our other brothers.

Sergeant Leigh Persky
Montgomery County Sheriff, Alabama

I had the honor of meeting Officer William Toney on three separate ocassions, all of them at the Speedway gas station in Beech Grove, Indiana, where I used to work.  He always treated me nice, like another human being, and once he even called me by my first name.  That was a nice touch.  I was very affected by his death, as it happened not too far away from my own residence.  I considered him a friend, even though I barely knew him.  I wish I had known him better.  I, too, paid my respects at the funeral home, and I also was present as the procession moved down Main Street.  I have cried for him and for his family, and I am not ashamed.  He was a real human being and a real cop.  He told me once how he wanted to be a cop in Florida, but I guess he's a cop in Heaven now.  He also told me how he missed his father.  He'll miss his father no more, but we will surely miss him.  He will be remembered in me forever.

Susan M. Gratton
Beech Grove citizen

It is written, "Blessed are the peacekeepers." Yet once again, as with Ofc. Toney's loss and the losses of so many others in law enforcement, we must recognize that bearing the sword in the defense of the innocent isn't easy.

Lt. S. I. Drake
Indianapolis Police Department

I had the privelage of attending the Indiana law Enforcement Academy with Bill (98-134). Bill was given the task of telling the joke of the day by Lt. Randy Davis and he fulfilled his position well.  Bill brought good spirits to those around him and was a wonderful person.  I attended his memorial service and was truly moved by the caring support shown by the officers who were there as well as the numerous citizens of Beach Grove who lined the streets as the procession filed through.  My heart goes out to his family and fellow officers.

Officer Jon Bales
Richmond Indiana Police Dept.

I have never met Officer Toney, or any of the officers listed on this memorial page but I am very saddened to hear about each of their deaths.

I hope to become a police officer and would be honored just to have the same occupation as these fine officers.  All police officers always remember I hope that there are always citizens who do care about the sacrifices that they make.

I will be praying for the family and collegues of Officer Toney and police officers everywhere.  Stay safe.

Anonymous

I had the pleasure of serving as a counselor during Officer Toney's three-month training period at the law enforcement academy. He was a true public servant! He had the interest and well-being of the people he served at heart. He truly wanted to help and make a difference, not only as a police officer, but as a person. He did! Officer Toney will be missed most of all by his wife and kids because they were his life. Thank you Officer Toney for being a positive example to all of us in law enforcement of what a police officer should be!! We won't forget YOU or forget about your FAMILY! 

Tommy L. Walker Jr.
Indiana State Police

My deepest sympathy goes to your family, especially your young children.  I have 2 girls approximately the same age and my greatest fear in life is leaving them so needlessly.  We do what we do because it is what we know is right without hesitation and mostly without thanks.  Well thank you.  You will never be forgotten and will live on in your children forever.

Tattoo
Detroit Police Department

I have tried to leave a relfection on this page for the last seven months, but I could never seem to put into words how much the girls and I miss Bill. There is not a moment that goes by any day that I do not think of my loving, wonderful husband. He was everything to me and a terrific father to our girls.

I want to thank each of you for the tremendous outpour of support we have been given. I am still amazed daily of the number of people we have in our lives who love and care about us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Dee Dee Toney

Dee Dee Toney

Bill,

We miss you
We love you
We are being well taken care of
We are rebuidling our lives
We will always carry you in our hearts

Dee Dee

Tears are not enough
I've been put through too much
I'm so young
But yet I've experiences mre than two lives together

I'm strong, independent, and determined
To do things my way
And much differently than those before me
I will success and
Will not be held back

I love life even with all the flaws
There's so much to be learned
In so little time
Often we don't take in
All the riches around us

We don't appreciate teh
The small things
or even the expereinces
We take life for granted
And then it's over in a flash

Billy, Jessica turns 7 tomorrow. I can’t believe how she is growing. What a beautiful, wonderful, lovely, good daughter you have. Jessica tries so hard to please everyone. She learned to ride her bike and won 2 softball trophies this summer. She loves to read and write stories. Jess will be spending her birthday at Kings Island with many friends. Emily just turned 4 years old; however she says she is almost 5. Emmie is just as wonderful, beautiful and loving. She has your spirit. Emily is funny and loves to play. They are both such a joy to be around. We miss you. Keep watching over them. I know you are.

Mamaw Pam

It doesn't do me a bit of good to leave any thing here and I realize that, but at the same time it gives me some what of a release to write what I feel and hopefully people read this and realize that they still have their brother, or brothers, dads, and other family members to sit down and talk to or call when they want to, or just simply say "hey, what's up?" There are so many times that I want to pick up the phone and tell Bill or Todd what is on my mind or tell them about the new person I have in my life. But I know they see me and continously let me know through certain things that they are still here with me. No matter how much I talk to friends or whoever about death when it comes up, it may sink in for that moment, but like every thing else, you have to experience it to know it, and maybe even to understand it. What so many people do not realize is that no matter what loss you are experiencing in life-whether money problems, death, or even stress about something little, there is always--always someone some where worse off then you. So the next time you cry about something you want or think you need, or feel sorry for yourself because of what ever, some one somewhere just lost their whole family at once. We are here and gone before we can do anything about it. Sure death is sad, matter of fact, it's real sad. People need to be thankful for the people they have and realize that things happen for a reason or they wouldn't happen at all.
I am 24 years old now. I lost my dad at 13, Bill at 21, and Todd at 23. I have been through so much in life also besides people being taken from me, that sometimes I can't believe I haven't lost my mind. But that right there should show everyone how much mind control we have. I would be lying if I said I didn't hurt sometimes from things- I'm allowed too, besides we are all human. I look at my losses and thank God every single day for the wisdom and strength I have gained from my losses, and thank him so much for what I have now and what I will continue to gain and be blessed with in this short eternity we call life. If you walk down the left side of the road- you are fine, if you walk down the right side-you are fine, but if you continue to walk down the middle of the road- eventually, your done for.
I will continue to enjoy every day of my life as I do and continue to love my family and friends as they should be. I will see you guys when I get there, and I know that things will work out for the best for everyone- how they are supposed
too.
#8 -Andrew- #99

Bill, it's been 2 1/2 years since you were taken from us. I'm one that knows and understands the price and the chance we take for our careers in law enforcement. Yet I find myself daily saying I can't believe what has happened! I deeply miss talking to you and look forward to the day I speak with you again and tell of the many things I've done in life because of you showing me how precious each and every moment is!

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN 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, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN 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 just
got to 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 policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Anonymous

Bill, I never knew you or meet you for that matter, but you impacted my life alot. I'm in my second semester at Vincennes as a Law Enforcement major. Before I really never new what I wanted to do with my life but after september of 2000, it was clear and I have you to thank. I will never forget you and you and your family are always in my prayers.

Jeremy Service Student
Vincennes Law enforcement Program

The urgent calling of nature longs to be tested, seeks to be challenged beyond itself. The warrior within us beseeches Mars, the god of War, to deliver us to that crucial battlefield that will redeem us into the terrifying immediacy of the moment. We want to face our Goliath so we may be reminded that the warrior David is alive, in us. We pray to the war gods to guide us to the walls of Jerrico so we may dare the steadfastness and strength of our trumpet call. We aspire to be defeated in battle by powers so much greater than ourselves, so that the defeat itself will have made us larger than when we arrived. We long for the encounter that will ultimately empower us with dignity and honor....Be not mistaken: the longing is there and it's terrible and beautiful and tragic. (From In Search of the Warrior Spirt by Richard Heckler) You are thought of daily...and missed eternally!

Anonymous

-Dad,Bill,Todd-

Well, I have to say that life has dealt us some kind of hand. But I will just play the game how it's supposed to be played- win or lose. People say to me that I am the man in the family now- no matter how true that is, I don't know where to start sometimes. I don't know if I'm ready for that. I don't know what direction I am going in life right now. I am just living life day to day trying to involve people that I only trust or care about. But that is even hard sometimes because of the way life works. Every day I up with the attitude that I think every one should carry. "Who Cares". (you know) If I dwell on anything, it just drags me down. Just like this war stuff going on-we can't do a dang thing about it or control what's going to happen, so why worry about it. If so and so are supposed to pass away tomorrow, then they are going to pass away. Nothing can be done about it. The only fear I really carry on my shoulders is how my closest friends, my mom, and my sister are going to feel after I am taken away from here, but even then I will be in a better place.
I am not any better then anyone nor would I ever judge any one. But I do analyze people like it's my job. People are just so clueless to the obvious. There are so many people that are selfish and careless about everything. If everyone would only realize that they should love the one there with because more then likely, your're not going to find another person like the one you have. But I can't control what everyone else does.
I thank God for all that he blesses me with and thank him for all that is here for us to enjoy. I know he takes things away for a reason or it wouldn't happen. I also know he has a plan for everyone. What that plan is for me, I am not quite sure yet- but I think I have some what of an idea.
I really do miss you guys and can't wait for the day that we all reunite.

I love you guys
-Andrew-

Bill, be there for Sheryl she'll need you....Mark

Sergeant
Marion County Sheriff Department

ANDREW-GET IN TOUCH WITH ME SOMETIME--MELISSA

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL DOING WELL.....

andrew,
i attended todds funeral and i want to say thank you for the strength your family displayed. the words in the letter you wrote were such an inspiration. the entire service has made me stop and analyze things i might not have before. take care of your family you are all amazing.

melissa(your neighbor)