Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I love you and miss you

October 6, 2004

Where do I start? I have not spoken to you in along time...too long. The last time I saw you you were standing against the wall in the Harlem Gym during the 2003 Harlem High School Graduation. You had on a plaid short sleve shirt and khaki trunks and running shoes. I wanted to go over to you and ask, "How you doing?" I wished that we never had gotten into that fight. Most of all I wished I would have made up with you. You were one of my best friends as well as a brother. I truely believe that things happen for a reason because that is how God wants it. I remember the first time I met you with Tonka. He brought you over to my house on Seasame Street. We hit it off right away. I have so many great memories with you, many great and a little bad depending on who's persepective you are look from...lol We grew from boys to men. We played football and other sports together. We chased girls together and did some crazy things together for no other reason than to be doing them. We were there for each other when either one of us had trouble. I do miss you and I pray for you and your family. I did not attend your funeral nor did I attend your memorial feed this past May. It was not because I didn't want to. I have no answers for this maybe it's because I did not know how to react. I tried to find where you were laid to rest but I could not find it when I went to Pony Hill. When I heard what had happened to you I was so mad and in shock. I was thinking about you today so I put your name into a google search and it brought this site up. Strange how things happen that way but I belive that God guides you even when you don't expect it. I just wanted to say that I pray for you and your family and that I think about the good times that we shared. Take Care one of your best friends and brother Thomas Champagne

Thomas Champagne

October 5, 2004

Son, I miss you

September 27, 2004

Josh,
I have been thinking about you a lot these past couple days, with the trial approaching and everything. I hope and pray that everything turns out the way it should. I pray for your sons, your mother, and your sister Tammy for they are the members of your family that have displayed your honor. You are a true hero and will forver be remembered as such.

September 22, 2004

Deputy Rutherford,
I wanted to say "Thank you" for your courage, bravery and for standing your ground when faced with the danger you encountered on that fateful day. I guess the good really do die young. May God bless you in you heavenly realm and also comfort your family until you meet again. You are a true Hero and even though I did not know you, I wanted to say that I am proud and honored to be a law enforcement brother when there are Deputies and Officers like yourself. Godspeed.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., Southern California

September 16, 2004

Josh
I met your Mom last year at Parents Retreat and we became friends in grief and then we have kept in touch over the last year and we visited in DC. Its time for Parents Retreat again and I know your Mom won't be there this year because of the Trial, I admire her so much, she is putting so much of herself into this trial. My son was shot and killed on 2/20/03 but his murderer was killed at the scene. I thank God for that, I don't have to go thru a trial. My prayers are with your Mom and your Sons and family and friends and Co-workers to give them all the strength to go thru this trial and I pray that Justice will finally be given to you. In this Great Country we live in, too many Officers have been killed in the Line of Duty, it seems like they kill to just be killing. I pray that your killer will receive the fullest punishment allowed by Law and God.

Pat Carruth
Mother of Officer
Jeremy E. (Jay) Carruth
EOW 2/20/03

Pat Carruth

September 4, 2004

Joshua, it's been 15 months since you were taken from us. Time is not healing the grief we are left with. I miss you more everyday. I stopped at Pony Hill the other day. I just sat there and reflected on the past and thought about the future of our boys. Thomas is almost a teenager and is noticing girls. I think about the things you would be teasing him about if you were here with us. He sure takes his time in getting himself ready whenever we go somewhere. I think that he has an interest of some girl at school. If you could see him every morning jump out of bed and get ready. He still has your style in clothing though. Just give him his jeans and jerseys/nike t-shirs and he is set. Joshua Teague is starting to notice girls too. He brags about it though. He don't care. He has that characteristic of yours. He knows that he is a cutie and he goes with it. Thomas and Teague are so much like you Joshua. It's scary sometimes when I catch a glimpse of Thomas and see you. I am thankful everyday to you that you gave me two of the greatest boys. I am doing my best to raise them myself. I know that you are looking over them too. They help me more than anything with the grieving process. I know that I have to stay strong for them. There is not a day that goes by Joshua that I don't think about it. You will always hold a special place in my heart. I miss you!!! I'll love you always and forever.

Roberta

September 3, 2004

Josh,

Its been fourteen months three days and sixteen hours since you left. I still don't understand how this could of happened in Harlem, Montana. I always thought that you were safe there because nothing ever happens there. I am so mad that you had to go. Why did you follow that fool into the field? Why didn't you wait for back up? Why didn't you just ignore the phone that night? Didn't you realize how valuable you were? You left so many people missing you and cursing the day you left. I just don't understand. I try so hard to go on but life is so difficult without you.

September 2, 2004

josh,

i was in wolf point this past weekend visiting your dad and brother and sister. i have been thinking of you a lot lately. i know they say time heals all wounds, but i still have a hard time with you being gone. i miss you lots.

melody stanley
josh's aunt

August 31, 2004

Josh,

it's been awhile since i've been on here, but i stil miss you dearly. And i just want you to know that i love you and i'll always think of you. :)

Love, Georgette

August 28, 2004

Joshua, "I am sitting here at work today thinking about you and how you impacted my life. I am a better person for knowing you. When things are sad I remember you telling me that, "NO matter how bad we think we have it, there is always someone worse off than us." Thanks for your kindness and words of wisdom. -A friend

August 27, 2004

You are a hero beyond words

August 27, 2004

Happy Birthday son. I know that you and your grandfather are enjoying your mutual birthday. I thought this would get easier. This year I brought cake and ice cream to work celebrate your 28 plus years that you were here. I am grateful for the time that I had with you.

Mom

August 16, 2004

i love you
and miss you
sis

July 3, 2004

My family was born and raised in Blaine County, and homesteaded there in the late 1800's. Even though I don't live near there anymore, I still family there and have the dream of returning one day. I send my thoughts and prayers to your Department and to your family. God bless them.

Chief Poppler
Angier Police Department, NC

June 18, 2004

brother,
I love you and miss you.

June 12, 2004

josh,

i was in harlem this past weekend for your 1 year feast. what a beautiful ceremony you had. everyone involved did a wonderful job, of course i know you were there too. it was my chance to really say good-bye to you, and i am so thankful for that. i miss you and think of you everyday. josh, we will never forgot the sacrifice that you made.

melody stanley
aunt of josh

June 2, 2004

One year ago this date Deputy Sheriff Joshua Thomas Rutherford lost his life
in the never ending pursuit of justice.
We continue to mourn his loss in this
senseless act of violence and we
extend our deepest thoughts and
prayers to his family, friends, and
fellow law enforcement officers. All
of our shifts today are dedicated to
the memory of this hero. He will
never be forgotten by us.

OMY/COP/WPD
5/29/04

Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska

May 29, 2004

Josh,

Well.....Today has been a year since your last watch. We miss you dearly and today HARLEM & the other cities, towns will honor you today as well. I see your boys every now and then, and they are growing so fast, at times i see they are so lost without you, but i also know that you look down on them and guid them in your own way. i will be attending your honor today, and to let your mother know how thankful i am to have known you! we love you, and will never forget you.

love, Georgette

May 29, 2004

Tonight when I go on duty at 1800 after reading these reflections for Deputy Rutherford I am going to dedicate the shift to his memory with a short prayer I hope that his Family is doing as well as they can be on this day God Bless you Brother for your service I also have a young son whose middle name is Teague not a everyday First or Middle name

Deputy
Henderson County Sheriffs Department Texas

May 29, 2004

I love you baby. Give me strength these next few weeks.

May 19, 2004

Josh, I guess it's time. Tomorrow I will give a speech in your honor. For two weeks, I have told everyone "I can do this, I'm doing it for Josh, I'm doing it for Mike, I'm doing it for everyone that loved him". But today, I think it all finally hit me. It's been a year and it's "Memorial Time". Our crew is in Washington D.C. right now, with your family. So I guess it's up to me to say a few words, make sure everyone knows who you were, what you were, and everything you were going to be. Today you are honored in Havre, tomorrow you are honored in Deer Lodge, and in Washington D.C. We honor you every day. I know you know that. I'm going to give it my best shot, I will be strong, I will be the rock for those who aren't. I read your reflections and smile. Then I cry. I miss you. We all miss you. You weren't only a brother, you were our friend. You are our hero. May those who didn't know you wish they had, may those that did cherish every second. Until we meet again.....
Shane and Catherine Huston

Patrolman First Class Catherine Huston
Havre Police Department, Havre, MT

May 13, 2004

Josh,

I was out to see you today at PonyHill, and it just seems like yesterday it happend that i seen you there. I really miss you, and i put some flowers on you and the sun was just shinning down on you. It was a very beautiful day out today and it has taken me a long time to go out there, at times i cannot believe you are gone, it still hasnt' really sunk in yet. Your boys are so proud of you, and i'm glad they are traveling to WashingTon D.C. to Honor you as well as in Deer Lodge, i wish i could make it there, that would be something to see. you are a true warrior and you are my hero. well.......i hope this get's easier soon! i miss you every day! Later.............love a friend.

Harlem, MT

May 13, 2004

The 29th of May will be here soon and when I begin to think about it, I panic, knowing the time will come when I have to let you go, so you can continue your journey.

There isn't a day that goes by that I am not thinking about you. Sometimes I think where has the year gone? Then there are the hard days that make me wonder if they will ever end.

You were and still are so LOVED! There are many people that you touched with your time spent here. The reflections on this page give a small sample of those individuals.

I know it was in the Creator's plan for us to have met, and spend time together, even if for a short time. As I reflect on what we shared, I am thankful for the gifts you have left for me.

This week is one of the special weeks where you are honored for your love, your courage, bravery and commitment to your job as a Police Officer. I know you'll be watching as you are honored in Deerlodge and D.C. All of us in attendance will be smiling through the tears, because we know how strong that love was.

May 13, 2004

Josh,

We are getting ready to go to the airport to go to DC. I miss you so much, son. I didn't know that anything could be this painful. I will do this out of love for you but I am not happy about it. Thomas, Teague, Tammy, Roberta and I will go see this honoring of you and your colleagues. This its home for your memorial. I love you

May 12, 2004