Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

GOD BLESS DUANE, HIS FAMILY AND HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.

DAVID JEWELL DEPUTY CHIEF RETIRED
JEFFERSON COUNTY (LOUISVILLE) KY PD

July 19, 2005

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 a badge
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

July 19, 2005

“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

July 19, 2005

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN Police

July 19, 2005

My prayers are for Special Officer Duane Reeves and his family. May their faith and the sadness and sorrow of all Police Officers bring them comfort.

Police Chaplain (Maj.) Rick Riccardi
Boynton Beach (FL) Police Dept.

July 19, 2005

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 upon 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 ***

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

July 19, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Reeves. Officer Reeves paid the ultimate sacrifice and will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace.

P.O. Paul Tillotson
Elizabeth,NJ P.D.

July 19, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Duane Reeves, his good deeds to his community and country will always be remembered. May God bless you.

Chief Ferrell J. Stewart
Cooter, MO Police Department

July 19, 2005

God Bless you & your family Officer Reeves. Thank you for choosing this career and protecting those who need it. May the good Lord be with your family in this difficult time.

L.A
Wife of police officer (CA)

July 19, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to This Officer, as well as the Family, Friends, Department and Community.

This is a loss that will never be forgotten. Hours will turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years but, the difference that these officers have made will last forever.

We lost Our Deputy Morris Taylor on September 14, 2002. When he joined the other Angels in Blue.

God Bless Our Law Enforcement Officers and Those Who Love Them.

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Former LEO/U.S.M.C. & Wife in Sutherlin, Oregon

July 19, 2005

REST IN PEACE, MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

James Sweeney
A FRIEND TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS

July 19, 2005

My prayers go out to Officer Reeves and to his family. It is a sad day when the thin blue line suffers another tragic loss.
Your memory will never be forgotten.

P.O. Erik Infantes
Jersey City Police Department

July 18, 2005

God bless Officer Duane Reeves, his family, and the Newark School District Police Services

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

July 18, 2005

Rest easy brother; we'll clean the streets from here. May you rest in eternal peace, and may God give your family and friends the strenth to cope with this tragic loss they have just endoured.

Love, your brother in blue

Officer
SPPD Martin County FL.

July 18, 2005

On behalf of the men and women who serve with the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Duane Reeves' family, friends, and co-workers with the Newark School District Police Services.

Rest in peace our brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

July 18, 2005

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men
stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell

Cpl Walters
Prince George's Co Police Violent Crimes Task Force

July 18, 2005

Rest In Peace Officer Reeves, you will never be forgotten. I hope your agency and all others never have to endure another loss.

PO Joseph Kennedy
Long Branch Police

July 18, 2005

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, July 18, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Special Officer Duane Reeves who died in the line of duty just a few hours ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Reeves' sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

July 18, 2005

I'm sure you did what you could concerning the situation. I'm sorry your EOW ended as it did, but it's the risk we take. Take care Brother in Blue. We'll all 10-25 on the streets of heaven.

Ptl. N.G. Mullins
Mt. Holly NC Police Department

July 18, 2005

Officer Reeves, Thank You for your dedication and selfless service. Although I never knew you, you are still a hero in my eyes and we your brothers, will never forget.

Deputy Adrian Guerrero
Sangamon County Sheriff's Office

July 18, 2005

Its never easy to hear that one of your own has gone. We will never forget your sacrifice. Rest in Peace brother

July 18, 2005

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Thank you for your service to your community Officer Reeves, and may the Lord comfort your family at this difficult time.

Spouse of a Deputy Sheriff
San Bernardino County, CA

July 18, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Duane, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham Retired
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

July 18, 2005

May God Bless you and comfort
your family and friends. You
gave your life making a difference.

Ret. Sgt. AJC
MCSD NJ

July 18, 2005

There are consequences to everything. Officer Reeves' consequence to wanting tohelp kids was the worst one of all: Death. The kids who did this should be ashamed of themselves. No Officer should have to worry about if they are going to make retirement or not. But they have to.
Officer Reeves: YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Explorer Aaron McLearen
Clare County Sheriff Dept. Michigan

July 18, 2005