New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Friday, September 10, 2004
Reflections for Detective Robert L. Parker
May your family and friends find peace in these heart felt reflections. You are both true hero's. May your spirits have quick journeys home and a joyous homecoming celebration. Go rest high on the mountain!
D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
September 13, 2004
“When God made Peace Officers….”
When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”
And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.
They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.
They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.
The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”
“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”
That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”
“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”
The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.
“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”
“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”
“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.
“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”
“You’re a genius,” said the angel.
The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.
Anonymous
Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
September 13, 2004
Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.
DE
St. Louis City Police
September 13, 2004
To the family, friends, and co-workers my prayers are with you. There is nothing anyone can say at this time that will make any of this make any sense. The only thing that helped me was knowing that Clint loved being a police officer and would not have traded places with anyone.
Detective Parker your family will miss you everyday, but we will never forget you. Look Clint up tell him I miss him.
connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04
September 13, 2004
Det.Parker was a gentle giant. A large and powereful man, able to bench press over 400 lbs yet he was soft spoken and mild mannered, very well liked by all. He loved life and loved to travel.. He will be missed immensley by all. Truely the Finest of the Finest.
Sgt Bill Crescenzo
67th Precinct NYPD
September 13, 2004
Your served bravely. Rest in peace
Offc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department
September 13, 2004
Out thought and prayers go out to Detective Parker, his family and the NYPD. Rest in Peace.
Officers of the Foreign Missions Branch
U.S. Secret Service/Uniformed Division
September 13, 2004
My deepest sympathy to the Parker family. May God watch over all of you during this trying time.
Robert Gordon,
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
Robert Gordon
Riverside PD, IL Ret
September 13, 2004
May you sit with Jesus and watch over all of us.
RM Taylor Federal Officer
US DOJ
September 13, 2004
Rest in peace Detective Robert Parker.
Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City Police Department, Mich
September 13, 2004
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Detective Robert Parker and the New York City Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Robert... 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
September 13, 2004
I was in the New Jersey area when I heard the news on September 10th. I pray that their families will be comforted in this time of tragedy. God has them in his loving care now. It makes me realize how volitile each call can be. God Bless all of the NYPD Officers!
Rick Webb - Reserve Officer
Cottageville Police Dept. , SC
September 12, 2004
I remember calling you on your cell phone from my cell phone as I sat in the rear of a van in which 14 of us were being driven back to command by you. I pretended to be the boss, and gave you a real hard time about being late. You finally realized that you were being had when the rest of us could not stop laughing.
You will be missed.
Det.Mike Kane
NYPD Ret.
September 12, 2004
Rest in peace Brother Robert, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Th ank you for your service and courage.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7.15.73
September 12, 2004
GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR SACRAFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
PSO GREG MAGNAN
KALAMAZOO DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY
September 12, 2004
It was with deepest regret that I read about the tragic death of Det. Parker. Again two of our country's finest has paid the ultimate for the safety of others. Please accept the prayers of the entire shift of officers and sergeants here at BPD West Precinct. Back in June of this year we lost three of our own. It was a difficult time then and still is, as I am sure it is for Det. Raferty's and Det. Parker's fellow officers and families.
Remember that they are now watching over us all.
Lt. Jerry Wiley
Birmingham, AL Police Department, West Precicnt
September 12, 2004
Rest in peace brother. We know your pain and our hearts go out to the New York City Police Dept. and the families of the fallen. Walk a beet in heavens streets you done your time in hell!
Officer William Inman
Birmingham Police Dept. West Precinct Al.
September 12, 2004
Fidelis Ad Mortem
Rest in peace, brother.
Police Officer
Union City Police Dept.
September 12, 2004
Thank you Brother for your dedication & faithfulness to duty above and beyond the call. Rest now among the Heroes of Heroes and know that your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.
Bob Johnson VA-VI
Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.
September 12, 2004
You will be sadly missed by the citizens of New York Detective Parker. The streets are a little safer because you were there. May God grant your family, friends and fellow officers peace and understanding during the coming days. Rest in peace sir.
Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County, Illinois Sheriff's Department
September 12, 2004
your in our thoughts and prayers god bless
wife of det rolniak eow 2-4-04
rpd
September 12, 2004
Rest in peace sir. Thank you.
Shannon
concerned citizen
September 12, 2004
My deepest sympathy is extended to the family and fellow officers of Det. Parker. Our prayers are with. GOD bless.
P.O.Michael F.O'Neill
Bratenahl,Ohio PD
September 12, 2004
To Detective Parker 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
September 12, 2004
Not one of you will be forgotten, all of you are missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family; Rest in Peace, Brother.
a colleague from the UK
September 12, 2004