Riverdale Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Reflections for Detective William "Wally" Rolniak, Jr.
Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
to many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.
Rest Easy Brother, the Watch is Ours Now and Yours was with Honor. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.
APD #128
Altoona Police Dept. Altoona, Pa
February 5, 2004
Brother, may God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will not be fortgotten.
Special Agent
FBI New York
February 5, 2004
My heart and prayers are with the wife, girls, family, friends and coworkers of Det. Rolniak. May you girls know always what a true HERO you dad is. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. Rest in peace Detective Rolniak.
Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure, EOW 08/06/02
February 5, 2004
My husband and I wish to extend our condolence and sympathy to the wife and family of Dectative William Rolniak.
What a tragedy that another fine Officer has been killed in the line of duty. OUr heartfelt prayers go out to the family and co-workers. May God bless each of you and give you comfort at this most difficult time in your lives. He will never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Deputy Sheriff
Morris LYn Taylor (Douglas County, Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02
February 5, 2004
Please watch over me now on my shift good sir--you will never be forgotten.
Anonymous
February 5, 2004
I am very sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers go to the family, department, and friends.
P.O. Kowalik
Harper Woods, MI
February 5, 2004
GOD BLESS YOU DETECTIVE ROLNIAK,AND BLESS OUR
BROTHER OFFICERS WITH THE RIVERDALE P.D.YOU
WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
POLICE OFFICER
CICERO POLICE DEPARTMENT
February 5, 2004
Rest in peace Det Rolniak, We will pray for you and your family.
SGT (RET)
NJ DOC SOG K9 UNIT
February 5, 2004
My deepest sympathies to this fallen man's family in these times...
PO Andrew
Chicago PD
February 5, 2004
I was shocked and saddened by the news. I'am so sorry for you loss.May his life and love continue living through his children and all who love him.May you always feel the warmth of his love surround you. My heart goes out to the entire family and co-workers.Rest in peace Detective Rolniak.
Teresa Goss
Shadco. Jax.Fl
February 5, 2004
God speed warrior, your shield will shine forever. Your dedication is an inspiration to all. You will be missed but never forgotten. Rest now we will take it from here.
Sincerely Ofc Ryan Leach.
Officer Ryan Leach
Grand Blanc Township (MI)
February 5, 2004
God bless. May your family know they do not weep alone.
M. Moore
February 5, 2004
American Lost another hero today, here was a brother doing his job, when the bad person took him away, rest in peace brother william, your work here is done, go patrol the streets of heaven. To the friends and family I will pray that god will be with you through this Dificult time.
Sgt. W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga Police Dept.
February 5, 2004
To the family of Det. Rolniak, may God be with you during this tragic time in your life. To Det. Rolniak's fellow officers, Be Strong, Keep The Faith and Carry on the fight against the evil in this world.
Investigator Ronnie Austin
State Attorney's Office - Tallahassee, FL
February 5, 2004
RIP... You will not be forgotten...
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."
Author Unknown
Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI
February 5, 2004
On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Detective William Rolniak's family, friends, and co-workers with the Riverdale Police Department.
God bless. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.
Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department
February 5, 2004
To Detective Rolniak family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.
God Bless you
terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86
February 5, 2004
MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS OF THIS GREAT HERO. MAY YOU ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
February 5, 2004
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DETECTIVE ROLNIAK, HIS
FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.
GOD BLESS...
PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
February 5, 2004
My prayers are with the family, friends, co-workers and the community of Riverdale. Thank you Det. Rolniak for your heroic service to us all in America. God Bless. Amen.
Det. D.L. Akins
Liberty Police Dept., Liberty ,NC
February 5, 2004
To live on in the hearts of others is to not die at all> You are in my prayers
Former Police Officer
N/A
February 5, 2004
God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.
ACooper
Emt
February 5, 2004
Det. Rolniak,
You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only hope to be as brave and strong as you. You helped so many people and touched so many lives. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Riverdale Police Dept. RIP.
Ofc. B.M. Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY
February 5, 2004
God speed warrior.
Cook County Sheriff's Police Dept,Il
February 5, 2004
God Bless the family and members of the Riverdale Police Dept.. Det. Rolniack will be remembered for his courage.
Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.
February 5, 2004