Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

TO:The family;loved ones;friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER:--- O,gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me.As I begin my tour of duty,I ask your protection from all mental,physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work,endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties.Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers,and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord,I ask that I may return safely,after my tour of duty,to my loved ones and those who love me.I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer;and after my tour of duty is over here on earth,may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well.AMEN.*** REST IN PEACE*** Sent to you by the father of First Class Officer J.D.Koeppen,Capital City Raleigh NC,Trooper D.C.Koeppen,N.J. State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen,Wilmington NC.

Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

June 20, 2004

Dear Arruda Family and Friends,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please take some comfort in two verses from the Bible: "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." Matt. 5:4 and "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the Children of God." Matt. 5:9. God Bless.

Ofc. Mike Snyder
Coral Springs PD, Florida

June 20, 2004

There are but two persons who protect the sinful human race from destroying itself. One is God's Holy Spirit. The other is the Peace Officer. Without them, we would all perish at each other's hands.

You were called into this profession and our Lord and Savior has blessed you because:
According to Romans 13.1-5...
God ordains the Peace Officer’s profession.
The Peace Officer is sent by God.
The Peace Officer is vested with God's authority to enforce the law.
A Peace Officer's badge is to be honored by us, because it is honored by God.

To the family of Deputy Sheriff Michael R. Arruda and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieves with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you during this most difficult time.

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow man, your life.
While serving, defending, and protecting others in your community.
Rest easy with our other fallen Brothers and Sisters, we have the watch now.

To all my brothers and sisters, please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Please pray for this officer's family, agency, and friends as they struggle with this tragedy.
May God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Florida Deputy Sheriff

June 20, 2004

My prayers and condolences to the family and fellow officers of Deputy Michael Arruda. Rest in peace and know that we'll take it from here.

Lieutenant
San Diego CO SO

June 20, 2004

Rest in peace Deputy Arruda, We will pray for you and your family.

SGT (RET)
NJDOC SOG K9 UNIT

June 19, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Deputy Michael R. Arruda. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

June 19, 2004

My prayers are with the family. thank you for his service. I also pray for the other officers in this incident and I ask God to keep them strong.

Lt Tim Ridgeway
Greenville County Sheriff's Office

June 19, 2004

Rest in peace brother.

Detective John O'Sullivan
Eagle County Sheriff

June 19, 2004

The citizens of California have lost a true law enforcement professional and Deputy Sheriff Michael Arruda's family have lost a wonderful man. God Bless

Detective T. Kirkpatrick
Los Angeles Police Department

June 19, 2004

I remember the time you backed me up on a t-stop and then inquired about the results a few days later with genuine concern for myself and my partner. Thanks for being there. Obviously God called you to him too soon. You did your time on earth, now go 10-8 on the streets of heaven. Ofcr Vince Fontes, Los Angeles County Police/Whittier Narrows Station

Ofcr. Vince Fontes
Los Angeles County Police

June 18, 2004

We are truly saddened at Mike's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

June 18, 2004

I have read some of the reflections but could not bear to read all of them as I am very sad. However, I wanted to thank each of every one of you who have responded. Most of all I wanted to thank Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Industry Station for taking care of my family as we mourned and grieved here awaiting the funeral. Thanks so much for your kindness and caring ways. My family and I are extremely grateful and can easily see that Mike was loved by all.

Deanna Medeiros
Deputy Michael R. Arruda's cousin

June 18, 2004

You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers in the LA County Sheriff's Office.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

June 18, 2004

Deputy Arruda, I met you once many years ago when you worked for my father, Retired Sergeant Fredric Montaldo (LACSD). Although our meeting was brief, I still remember it. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. You will not be forgotten!

Police Officer Fredric Montlado II
Phoenix Police Departmetn

June 18, 2004

I am Deputy Sheriff Mike Arruda's aunt.
I have read some of the postings and would like to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers for Mike. I will share with the rest of our family.
Thank you so much it means a great deal.

Officer Carol OShea
New Bedford Police Dept

June 18, 2004

My prayers are for all the officers involved in this incident and their families. God Bless.

Lieutenant Glenn Powell
Sacramento County Sheriff

June 18, 2004

On the wings of angels he flew, all forgiven he knew, now at peace with GOD, no more worry, no more tears...Enter MY Kingdom Officer Arruda, GOD said "Peace I will give you here, tears I will wipe from your loved ones near, I am proud of you Peacemaker, here we will wait and with joy, think of the day when we all reunite just one last time, in one last battle, now stand at my right side son, I have chosen another great warrior for my side, be at peace, your comrades will sustain, I will look upon them each day and together You and I will pray"

May GOD Bless Arruda family and comrades....

Officer Scott Parker
Pelican Bay Police Department, Tarrant County Texas

June 18, 2004

May God our Almighty Father be with you to welcome you home and may He be with your family who morn your loss. God Bless you Brother. You are in our prayers

Officer Patrick Kennedy
Vancouver PD, Vancouver WA

June 18, 2004

May God our Almighty Father be with you to welcome you home and may He be with your family who morn your loss. God Bless you Brother. You are in our prayers

Officer Patrick Kennedy
Vancouver PD, Vancouver WA

June 18, 2004

To Dep Arruda's fiance,
It is troubling that another name has been added to the list. Though words cannot erase the pain that your family is going through, may you be comforted in knowing that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Rest assured that your love's legacy will live on through your children. He died a true HERO in every sense of the word.

To The LAC Sheriff's Dept Family,
Your Deputy was taken from you in the most unfortunate of circumstance. Wrap your arms around your surviving deputy and hold him close, for his grief is such that you may never comprehend.

May God Bless and Keep you all.

Friend of fallen Officer Mark Sawyers, Sterling Hgts PD EOW 6-05-04

June 18, 2004

Deputy Arruda,

Rest in Peace my Brother...Thank you for your service and dedication. My prayers are with your family and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office. GODSPEED.....

Officer
NC

June 18, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the son, fiancee, parents, family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Arruda. May he rest in peace now and continue his watch from above. God bless you all.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee D. Azure
EOW 08/06/02

June 18, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Deputy Arruda for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

June 18, 2004

Rest in peace, brother. You were taken too soon and under tragic circumstances. May you watch over your family from above and be there to back us up in our future hour of need. You are a hero to all of us.

Mike Sergeant
Los Angeles Police Department

June 18, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Michael R. Arruda and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Michael... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

June 17, 2004