Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch Friday, September 19, 2025
Reflections for Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines
On behalf of Point 27, we would like to offer condolences for Senior Trooper Craig Anthony Gaines. Please know we are eternally grateful for Craig’s service and his ultimate sacrifice.
To honor Senior Trooper Craig Anthony Gaines, Point 27 sent Thin Blue Line Dog Tag Necklaces, engraved with “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9, to the Florida Highway Patrol in Tallahassee, Florida for Craig’s partner and fellow troopers. Point 27 also sent Folded Flag Necklaces engraved with “Greater Love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 for Senior Trooper Craig Anthony Gaines’ family.
Point 27 is a Non-Profit organization with a mission to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their families, with God’s Word inscribed on Shields of Strength jewelry.
We will never forget and we are forever grateful for Craig.
Respectfully,
Colonel David Dodd,
United States Army Retired
Executive Director-Point 27
Linda Rhodes
Surviving Wife of Detective Jerry M. Rhodes, Dallas Police Department Retired
Point 27 National Outreach Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison
linrhodes@yahoo.com
972-978-5325
Linda Rhodes
October 22, 2025
RIP Trooper Gaines. Thank you for your service to the Country, the state of Florida and the citizens of Havana and Gadsden County
Lieutenant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
Boston, Ma. 02120
October 16, 2025
Rest in peace brother
Reserve Officer Steve Du
Retired
October 11, 2025
Amen, Marine……
This Soldier gave the full measure of his adult life to God’s people/country, USOAnd we all must never forget by building a wall in his county, with his name engraved into it, and annually read allowed by a relative or volunteer.
jAck Sol fryschman
Jacksun Freschwind
Jeeckee freeshmeen
Jackey A. Bleupsychia®️
October 11, 2025
Fair winds and following seas, Senior Trooper Gaines. May your memory be a blessing to your partner, your wife, your children and your grandchildren and to all the LEOs who served with you. You worked hard. You did well.
Chris Kassabian Schaefer
USMCR-R
October 10, 2025
May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God Bless You. Your Family, & Friends
James P. Waggle, Jr.
US Army Veteran (SFC)
Civilian
October 9, 2025
Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.
Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD (Retired)
October 9, 2025
Session 10 of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Institute would like to extend our condolences to the Florida Highway Patrol and the family and friends of Senior Trooper Gaines.
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
“In Valor There Is Hope”
Session 10
Albany County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Institute
October 9, 2025
Rest in peace Trooper Gaines.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 8, 2025
In times of loss, we come together to honor the memory and service of those who have passed. It's a moment to reflect on the impact they've had on the lives of others, and the legacy they leave behind. Their dedication and service will always be remembered, and their spirit will continue to inspire. May comfort find its way to you and all those mourning this loss.
Retired LAPD Reserve Police Officer
October 8, 2025
Rest in Peace Trooper Gaines. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, coworkers, and friends.
Lieutenant Robert T. Mote (ret)
Buena Park, CA Police Department
October 8, 2025
Rest in peace brother.
Det.Andreoli
NYPD-Retired
October 8, 2025
Rest in peace Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines! Thank you for your 17 years of service with the Florida Highway Patrol in Florida and for your previous service with the Havana Police Department and the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office, and also for your service as a Navy Veteran. We thank you for your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and your friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your Wife, your three Children, your Parents, your two Brothers, your Grandchildren, the rest of your Family, all of your Friends and all of your Sisters and Brothers in Blue that also protect us. We want them to know that you will never be forgotten! God bless you all!! (Matthew 5:9)
Eddie & Kelly King
October 8, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and agency during this difficult time. thank you for your service
Session 23
Zone 5 RLETA
October 8, 2025
Thank you for your service Trooper Craig Antony Gaines !!!!!!
Sergeant David Dufault (Ret)
Hartford Police Dept
October 7, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines and the extended law enforcement family of the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida.
End of Watch Friday, September 19, 2025
Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.
I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.
By Jon F. Hooper
"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
October 7, 2025
RIP
Assistant Chief Robert Jenkins
North Bay Village PD
October 7, 2025
Prayers & Condolences
Rest in Peace Senior Trooper Craig Gaines
Sgt. Randy Keenan ~ (Retired)
City of Alameda, CA Police Department
October 7, 2025
Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines, I am so sorry that you suffered and my deepest condolences to your family . May God Bless you and keep you now. Thank you for your many yesrs of service. Rest In Peace, Brother.
Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department
Leesburg. FL
October 7, 2025
May God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven, Trooper Gaines.
Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department
October 7, 2025
Rest in Peace, my brother.
Retired
Evanston Illinois P.D. Retired
October 7, 2025
Rest in Paradise Brother Trooper. Prayers for your family and co-workers. Thank you for your service.
Retired M/Sgt Lisa Ditzler
Illinois State Police D-16
October 7, 2025
We at Nevada Office of Emergency Management extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Trooper Craig Antony Gaines. His dedication, courage, and service will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Hero.
Tawanna Wade-Gerchman, 911 Coordinator
Nevada Office of Emergency Management
October 7, 2025
Dear Colonel Gary Howze II:
I hope this reflection finds you well, though I understand it is an incredibly tough time for you, and everyone connected to your department. I am writing to extend my heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences for the loss of Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines, a brave and dedicated lawman.
The news of Trooper Gaines’s death has deeply saddened me and my entire family. The sacrifice that he made while protecting and serving your community is a testament to the selfless and courageous nature of law enforcement officers like him. We can never truly understand the risks and challenges faced by those in law enforcement, and we are forever indebted to them for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Gaines’s family and colleagues during this immensely challenging time. Their loss is immeasurable, and we can only hope that the outpouring of support from the community can offer some comfort in these trying times.
In times like these, we must remember the positive impact Trooper Gaines had on countless lives throughout his life and career. The memories of his dedication, kindness, and professionalism will remain etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.
To you, Colonel Howze, and the entire Florida Highway Patrol, my family and I want to express our gratitude for the vital work you do each day, often in the face of danger and adversity. The sacrifice of your fallen colleague serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with your line of duty. Despite the risks, you continue to serve with integrity and unwavering commitment, and for that, we are immensely thankful.
Having served 46+ years as a Law Enforcement Professional, my family stands with you during this time of mourning. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to support your fallen hero’s family, you, and your department during this difficult period.
May the memories of Senior Trooper Craig Antony Gaines be a source of strength and may his legacy inspire others to follow in his footsteps of honor and service. We will forever be indebted to the sacrifice he made to keep us safe.
With deepest sympathy,
Chief (retired) Don P. Jensen Sr. DrE, PGP, PP, PM
October 7, 2025
MY PRAYERS AND MOST HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES ARE WITH TROOPER GAINES AND HIS LOVED ONES. SUCH A TRAGIC WAY TO PASS. REST IN PEACE BROTHER. GODSPEED.
INV. RICH WYNN, RET.
WILL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT., ILL.
October 7, 2025