Tampa Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Reflections for Officer David Lamar Curtis
To the family of Officer Curtis: we as Law Enforcement, who are all around the country, are greaving along with you. I myself lost a brother in the line of duty ( Hilery A Mayo Jr EOW 06-09-07 ) and I know the pain you are going through. Just know that there is a Fraternity of POLICE OFFICERS out there that will be praying for you in your time of loss. May God bless you.
DFC Jeffrey A. Mayo
St. Tammany Parish S.O.
June 29, 2010
Rest in peace Officer David Curtis!! You will never be forgotten.
Mrs. Angela Carthron
surviving spouse of Cpl. Mark Wesley Carthron
June 29, 2010
In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!
"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 whose 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
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
June 29, 2010
Your sacrifice and last full measure of devotion will not be forgotten. RIP Brother
"Never forget what they did here. It is rather for us, the living, to be dedicated here to the great task remaining before us - that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
President Lincoln
Detective Chris Welby
Bridgeton, Mo PD
June 29, 2010
Dave,
I never imagined today would be the last time I'd have to spend time with you. You were an amazing partner, friend, and father. Your passion for your family was incredible. You have raised four boys that I reassure you will carry on your strengths and be constantly reminded of who there father was. Please find comfort in knowing that your family will be taken care of.
Keep an eye on us as we carry on where you left off. You will be missed brother but you will never be forgotten.
Ofc. David Michelson
TPD
June 29, 2010
You will never be forgotten...you gave the ultimate sacrafice for the people you serve. May God be with you and your family.
Deputy David Roycraft
El Paso County Sheriff's Office Colorado
June 29, 2010
My sincere condolences are extended to family, friends and the Tampa police department for the tragic loss of both officers. May they rest in eternal peace.
Sergeant Steve Redding
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police
June 29, 2010
Rest in peace my brother
Anonymous
June 29, 2010
Rest easy brother, we'll hold all those involved responsible...keep an eye on us from Heaven
Policeman
Phoenix PD, Brother in Blue
June 29, 2010
Rest In Peace
ACRES
SCOTT COUNTY TN
June 29, 2010
Thank you, Officer Curtis,for your bravery and your service. The entire nation stands by your wife and children, friends and the Tampa Police Department as they mourn the loss of two of our HEROS. May your four boys always know that their daddy is, and will ALWAYS be, a true American Hero. God Bless and Godspeed.
Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN
June 29, 2010
"Please Always Think Of Me"
Not long ago I left your world
not by choice you see
I Love you all so very much
Please always think of me
I'm way up here above the clouds
my spirit is alive
I wanted to stay a little longer
God took me by surprise
He said He had a plan for me
much bigger and brighter things
He have me something gold an white
called guardian angel wings
I wear them very proudly
He made them just for me
I'll always take good care of you
please always think of me.
copy right Randy L Raulston
Detective Randy Raulston
El Paso County Sheriff's Office, El Paso, TX.
June 29, 2010
Rest in Peace...
Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY
June 29, 2010
God Bless your family and the Tampa Police Department during this difficult time. You are a hero!
Officer
Austin Police Department
June 29, 2010
May our beloved Lord hold your family, co-workers and friends close during this most difficult time. I know you will be a guardian angel to all of us, who will continue the fight in your honor....God Speed my Brother, we got the watch from here.
Ofc W F Schrader
Lakeland Police Dept.
June 29, 2010
just wanted to say thank you for your service and i am sorry for the loss,hopefully they will catch the shooter.
none
citizen
June 29, 2010
R.I.P.
Sergeant
NYPD
June 29, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Curtis. Rest easy brother.
Officer O. Esquibel
Avon Park Police Department
June 29, 2010
We would like to send our warmest regards and deepest condolences to the family, friends and department of Officer David Curtis. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult and sad time. Rest in Peace, Officer David Curtis and thank you for your service.
Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
June 29, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with both the family and law enforcement family of Officer Curtis. He offered the ultimate sacrifice to protect your community. He may be gone but will never be forgotten. Heros live on forever.
Helen Legall (retired detective)
Gainesville Police Department
June 29, 2010
God bless this deputy for his dedication to duty and the selfless service he has provided to the community as well as his fellow officers. May God watch over him and the family he has left behind. May we never forget the sacrifice he has made to this great city and the citizens in it.
Deputy Connie Ames
HCSO
June 29, 2010
On behalf of the membership of Jersey City F.O.P. Lodge # 4 we express our sincere condolences to our fallen Brother's Dave and Jeff, their families and their extended families of the Tampa PD. Take solace in the fact that they are watching down from a better place protecting their families and their Brother's & Sister's in Blue.
Fraternally,
Sgt. W. Greg Kierce, President
Jersey City F.O.P. Lodge # 4
Sgt. W. Greg Kierce, President
Jersey City Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge # 4
June 29, 2010
Rest In Peace Brother. Your service is greatly appreciated. My thoughts are with you, your coworkers, and your family.
Explorer S. Casey
Holly Hill PD
June 29, 2010
ASCENSION
And if I go,
While you’re still here---
Know that I live on,
Vibrating to a different measure
--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
So you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
--both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest,
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
…I will be there.
By Colleen Hitchcock
Lisa Schultz
wife of Don Schultz Phoenix PD 4410 EOW 5-12-2004
June 29, 2010
AMERICA AND FLORIDA LOST ANOTHER HERO, OFFICER CURTIS GO PATROL THOSE GOLDEN STREETS OF HEAVEN, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT. R.I.P. BROTHER.
Sergeant Marc Riley
Aragon ga Police Dept.
June 29, 2010