Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and loved ones of Detective Patrick Rafferty, his fellow officers with the New York City Police Department, and most especially to Patrick:

On this the fourth anniversay of your tragic death, please know that you are honored and revered today and everyday.

From all the loving reflections left about you, I can see that you were an amazing man and what a grievous loss your loved ones have endured because of your brutal murder.

May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire. You are loved and missed by so many as is the other heroic detective who shared your same fate that awful night four years ago.

Rest in Peace, Patrick. A body is but for a lifetime, but spirits and souls are for eternity and yours is forever part of those who call you beloved.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Patrick gave to his community and the citizens of New York, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 10, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept. eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

September 10, 2008

Paddy,
It is the eve of your fourth anniversary in heaven and I'm missing you as much as I did they day you were taken from us. I think of you so many times,everyday. I am thinking of hunting again. I haven't hunted since I went with Dennis,Frank,Bo and Billy to Maine for the snowshoes. Since Josie and I moved the kids to NH I keep thinking how much you would have liked it up here.Stephanie's showing a lot of interest in hunting and is shooting a bow amazingly well,she's already won 3 tournaments @ 7 years old. I miss our talks, our hunts and the harrassment we would give the other on a missed shot. Love ya Paddyand thinking of you always.

Rob

September 9, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 2, 2008

Just finished watching "How Green Was My Valley", Paddy.
The part of Hue Morgan , played by Roddy McDowell reminded me of how you looked as a kid. Those are great memories I have and I share with my kids. Thanks for being a friend.

willy
nypd/fdny

December 11, 2007

Paddy , as you know the blind is rebuilt. Thanks to Scott and John you would have liked these two guys.I Know you sent one of them,anyways will be out htere this week send some geese, A day does not go by that I don't think you.

Dennis Rafferty
Brother

September 21, 2007

Paddy, I can't believe its been 3 years. I think of you everyday. Thanks for all the signs, I know you are there. I really miss our talks, sneaking smokes from Eileen and Josie and our hunting trips. I love you Paddy.

Rob

September 9, 2007

Dear Paddy,Think about you everyday.Wishing you a Happy Birthday, Guess you had a good laugh at me and Frank missing that deer.I know you are always around.Miss you!
Love your brother, D

Dennis Rafferty
Brother

February 14, 2007

Patty, We went through the Police Academy together in Company 89-19 back in 1989. I sat in front of you throughout the training. I would occasionally break your shoes, and you would laugh. I remember about you is how mature you were for your age. You truly were a professional even back then. I cherish the photograph we took together on gun and shield day. Rest in peace brother, till we meet again.

Sgt. Mark Corrao
NYPD

February 7, 2007

Pat,
Stopped by the Memorial on the 11th, hope you heard me.
Thanks again for being a friend. I always think about the laughs and how you taught me to embrace life (w/a Rusty Nail,Dancing w/your girl and laughing w/friends.) Thanks!!
It works!
God Bless your family.

cousin

September 23, 2006

Two years ago today the phone cal came that you had given your life in the line of duty. You are not forgotten.

Detective Patrick J Donohue Jr.
NYPD

September 10, 2006

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN TODAY, YOU ARE A HERO.

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR A FRIEND". JOHN 15:13.

MOTHER OF A FALLEN OFFICER.
EOW: 09.06.01

September 10, 2006

Patty, your brother and I stopped by your memorial today to pay respect to you and all of NYPD's fallen heros. There's not a day you've been forgotten. You are greatly missed by your family and friends. They will continue to miss you, your country music, your jokes and your pig roast. My prays are with you and your family.

Hip Cup Cafe
friend/family

September 3, 2006

Pat was a great cop, and such a nice and funny guy and I'm honored that I was able to know him and work with him.. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones and I think about him often...
I know he is watching over all of his brothers and sisters everyday..

PO Annemarie Connolly (Tulley)
NYPD MTS PCT

June 4, 2006

Detective Rafferty,
Based on the number of family, friends and co-workers present in Washington D.C. last police week, it is clear that you were well respected within the department and truly loved. I had the opportunity to meet your family and numerous friends at the host hotel last may. To say the least, I was truly impressed and honored to meet them.

Please know that your wife and children are thought of daily by my family. Also, not a day goes by that the Troopers of New Hampshire don't thank you and your brothers and sisters for the job that you do in the city.

With Heartfelt Regards,
Tpr. Nathan A. Noyes NHSP

Trooper Nathan A. Noyes
NH State Police

November 1, 2005

Pat, you'll always be remembered by me..and i will live each and every day of my life missing you and watching over your kids as if they were my own siblings..one year ago today you were taken away..i miss you to death and you will never ever be forgotten..

Friend of the Family

September 10, 2005

I don't even know what to say- when is this going to come to an end. My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on the day you were taken from them almost one year ago. This is very similar to the way I lost one of my close friends at the beginning of 2004. You were doing your job when a complete idiot took you away from your family and friends. I can only hope that justice will be served. Take care and tell Nick hi.

Tracie
Friend of Nick Sloan- EOW 1/30/04

September 9, 2005

Detective Rafferty..you - your family -friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

karen

August 4, 2005

'There was silence all around the throne
Where 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."'

Rest In Peace. It is Men and Women like Det Rafferty that Insire Young Men like myself to one day become Police Officers.

Matthew James Francis
Police

June 6, 2005

Pat,
Think about you every day! Keep us all safe!

Det. Michael COle
NYPD

May 23, 2005

HEROES IN LIFE...NOT IN DEATH. NEVER FORGET THE SACRAFICE. REST IN PEACE.

Cst. S.P.
Ottawa Police Service-CANADA

November 7, 2004

May God watch over your family through this aweful time. Your in my prayers

karen green-huyssoon
sister of nik green ohp 198 eow 12/26/03

October 28, 2004

When All is calm and it seems the world has forgotten, the most important thing is that you have not. No one will ever understand your loss or the sacrifice you involuntarily had to make, but know it was made for you. I doubt our fathers would have chosen to leave this life so soon, but they chose to take the risk to make our lives and our children's lives better. The pain will never leave, but it will fade. May God be with you and may you always remember that families are forever.

A fallen officers daughter

October 25, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 25, 2004

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

October 20, 2004

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds circled in flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.


Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

KY Peace Officer
Isaiah 40:31

October 12, 2004