Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This is such a tradgedy to loose a fine officer. May God be with your family, friends, and your fellow officers at the LA County SO during this difficult time. May your memory live on.

Inv. T. Faircloth
Laurens County DA's Office

June 17, 2004

A Tribute to the Heroes Among Us

Dedicated to Emergency Response Personnel everywhere and F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Our hearts go out to you and your families. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough for men who are heroes when we need them, but invisible, ignored, and unappreciated when we don’t.

You rescue us, save our possessions, our lives and our families. You are the heroes among us. You are always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we call, we just expect that you will come and do whatever it takes to help us. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring. We show our appreciation with low pay, little respect, and indifference for the issues in your lives, most of the time. As young children, we want to grow up and be you until we get older and realize the risk isn’t worth the reward.

As outsiders, we envy you, secretly. You have benefits in your careers that our jobs just can’t provide. Your work is not the same old thing every day. You get the opportunity to be heroes every time you go to work. You obviously love what you do, and you’re a family. You have a oneness the rest of society longs for. You care about and support each other. You know each other’s families, share each other’s lives. The rest of us face life’s trials and tribulations alone. You are never alone. You have each other, always.

It is our loss not to know you better. This world, this country, your individual towns truly are better places because of you. To lose one of you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We should be grateful for and to you, and honor you regularly for all you do for us day in and day out without a word of thanks or praise.

We should be ashamed of ourselves; and yet, you continue to do all you do for us in spite of our behavior, which speaks to the people you are. How many of us are willing to do a job knowing we may not go home at the end of the day?

Maybe one day in the future, you will be recognized for all you do with better pay, and the community support and respect you so richly deserve. Until then, hang tough together, and God Bless You and your families.

Anonymous

June 17, 2004

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and friends. God bless.

Rich
Chicago P.D.

June 17, 2004

Losing one of Americas finest is always a tragic thing. Thank you Brother for your faithfulness and dedication to duty. You gave above and beyond the call. Rest in Peace knowing your loved ones are never alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VA

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

June 17, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

June 17, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Michael Arruda.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA

June 17, 2004

The policeman stood and faced 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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a 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 born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 17, 2004

To Deputy Arruda's family and department-

I am very sorry for your loss. Life just doesn't seem to go right sometimes. When you expect to be protecting the public it is hard to carry on when one of your own is lost.

Lydia-
When my husband died in the line of duty 3 years ago I thought I would never return to the road. I couldn't bare the pain of hearing the radio and knowing it wasn't his voice on there like before. There is no point in me saying the pain eases, because you know it never will. But it does get easier for you to get out of bed everyday; especially when you look at your child. My son was born 8 1/2 months after my husband died. It's nice to know they left a treasure behind for us... Good luck to you and your daughter.

June 17, 2004

In loving memory of D.S. Mike Arruda:
Our hearts are grieving with you for this officer, his family and loved ones, and his co-workers. Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. It is a long road to healing that lies ahead, but I know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will extend His mercy and comfort to all who reach out to Him. There is none greater than He. We don't get to Heaven based on what we do, but what He did for us!! AMEN! There is now a huge void that cannot be
filled. God be with all those who mourn and may His promises lift all those with heavy hearts for many years to come. I found this poem on another's site and wanted to share it.

We may never understand it,
the risks these brave ones take,
but occasionally we see a bit
of the difference their lives make.
Some do it for the action,
others find it a callin'.
All find the satisfaction,
and few become the fallen.
Being an officer is what he loved,
To him as good as it gets.
Law was what he dreamed of,
He would have no regrets.
And though it saddens all of us
to lose him in this way
He knew how an officer must
Live life to the fullest everyday.

You are in my thoughts. If only I could erase your pain...

Lynn Kole
Bellingham, Washington

June 17, 2004

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND FOR THE FAMILY OF DEPUTY MICHAEL ARRUDA. AS A FATHER WITH A SON AND A DAUGHTER ON THE WAY I CAN ONLY SAY HE WILL BE WITH YOU FOR EVER. FOR HIS KIDS REMEMBER YOUR FATHER IS A HERO AND ALWAYS WILL BE REMEMBERED AS JUST THAT.
DEP. J. KROENING

DETENTION DEPTUY SHERIFF F.T.O.JASON KRO
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FLORIDA

June 17, 2004

Godspeed brother, we'll take it from here!

Florida Deputy Sheriff

June 17, 2004

You were a wonderfull deputy who lived a full life may you rest in Peace

Anderson
LAPD

June 17, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but one.

May God be with Deputy Arruda and his family in their time of need.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

June 17, 2004

Deputy Arruda, our prayers go out to you, your Family, and your Dept during these trying times! You will not be forgotten! Thank You for your dedication.....IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE!!!!

Officer Rich Cheatham
Va Beach Police dept.

June 16, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

June 16, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Arruda

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

June 16, 2004

Deputy Arruda...our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends...may your fellow deputies find peace and understanding in the weaks and months to come...Please watch over you fellow brothers and sisters in brown....God speed, Sir

wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

June 16, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS DEP ARRUDA'S FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS DURING THIS TERRIBLE AND TRAGIC TIME IN THIER LIVES. MAY GOD BLESS THE OTHER DEPUTY INVOLVED IN THIS TRAGIC TIME IN HIS LIFE ALSO. MY DECEASED BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

June 16, 2004

Thank you for your service..Rest in peace sir.

Shannon
concerned citizen

June 16, 2004

God Bless You Deputy Arruda My thoughts and Prayers are sent your way from the East Coast!!!!

Tonya Stephenson
Private Citizen,PA

June 16, 2004

Thank you Deputy Arruda for keeping us safe from bad. God bless you.

Renny Kassel
California Citizen

June 16, 2004

Thank you for your 13 years of service to the people of the county of Los Angeles, we will never forget your sacrifice,God bless you.
REST IN PEACE

TMP

June 16, 2004

RIP my brother.........god bless you and your family....You are a true hero

SGT
LASD

June 16, 2004

Sir,

I never had the opportunity to meet you but I can say that I grieve just as badly. I'm deeply saddened by this tragedy and the loss to our department. I have heard you were a great man and a great Deputy to work with.

To the family and friends of Deputy Arruda I offer my families prayers and support. To all those present during this tragedy I pray for you as well.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

June 16, 2004

Thank you for protecting this country. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

June 16, 2004